Brno beckons with brand new architectural pearls and a unique music festival
Mystical Water Reservoirs on the Yellow Hill amaze with unique architecture and mysterious atmosphere
This spring, a new addition to the list of Brno's monuments has been added to the list, which is unparalleled in Europe. The water tanks on the Yellow Hill are compared to the Yerebatan Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey. It is a must-stop for all tourists exploring the only city in the world that lies on two continents - on the border of Europe and Asia. And for a visit to Brno, the same is true of the Yellow Hill water towers. They are a testament to exceptional technical industrial architecture in its untouched form.
The unique monument is located under an inconspicuous grassy area, which makes it all the more surprising for visitors. There are three underground water tanks and each one is different. Two are brick, built without a trace of wood or steel. The third, which is newly accessible, is concrete and double-chambered. Before they were decommissioned, they held 30 million litres of water, which supplied the whole of Brno. In fact, they have survived because they have been somewhat forgotten. Thanks to this, today we can be amazed by their technical perfection and not only that. The colossal water tanks have a unique mysterious atmosphere and will appeal even to those who are otherwise not interested in industrial monuments.
The quartet of iconic villas has grown to five figures with the opening of the Arnold Villa
Brno is a city of unique villas. Villa Tugendhat, a functionalist gem on the UNESCO World Heritage List, needs no introduction. The world-famous monument is adjacent to the Art Nouveau Villa Löw-Beer and now to another new addition to the list of Brno's monuments - the Art Nouveau Arnold Villa with Art Deco elements.
The grand villa from 1862 is located in Brno's oldest residential district. It was originally built by Josef Arnold, a prominent Brno architect and builder, as a suburban house that served his family for recreation during the summer months. Once a free-standing dwelling house in a green area, it is now surrounded by the urban development of Černé Pole and offers visitors a unique combination of history and First Republic luxury. In addition to a tour of the villa itself, you can visit two permanent exhibitions, sit in the local café or stroll through the combined gardens of all three villas.
And if you don't have enough architectural pearls, you can take a tour of the other two villas - Stiassni from 1929, built in the style of individualistic modernism, and Jurkovič's villa from 1906, which is inspired by British and Viennese art with elements of folk art.
"This year is marked by the opening of new destinations. We have the aforementioned Yellow Hill water towers, Arnold's Villa, and work is being completed on St. James Church. It is clear that Brno is full of hidden and diverse treasures, and it is far from having exhausted its potential. We like to focus on local topics and with a sense of Brno we also highlight contemporary and historical contexts that are often not so popular, but which we believe are important and deepen our understanding of Brno. That is why, for example, we are continuing our series of Authentic Guided Tours or the audio guide Listen to Brno for the fourth year already," invites Jana Janulíková, Director of TIC BRNO, to Brno.
History doesn't have to be boring, as two interactive exhibitions prove!
A visit to a museum describing the history of the city is usually a matter for connoisseurs who love history so much that even dusty exhibits will not disappoint them. But in Brno it is different! Here, they decided to bet on modern technology, thanks to which they have set history in motion so that we can become part of it. At the Old Town Hall we will return to the last century in a digital exhibition called Silent Heroism. Thanks to tablets, headphones and augmented reality, we will relive the turbulent period of the Second World War or the 1950s. Thanks to the interactive screens, we can get involved in the stories and experience the adventurous moments of their telling.
The mysterious Cellar under the New Town Hall, on the other hand, takes us back to the Middle Ages, to the time of the mythical Brno legends, without which Brno would not be Brno. The Fire Horse and Dragon exhibition tells the story of Brno's famous dragon or the wheelwright Jiří Pirk, and we can also experience the siege of Brno by the Swedes in 1645. The place itself impresses with its unique contrast of ancient spaces, new technologies and works of contemporary artists. The two exhibitions are only a ten-minute walk from each other and can be visited thanks to a joint ticket at a discounted price. And we don't have to worry about the history being too much for one day - the ticket is valid for a month.
The festival celebrating Leoš Janáček and Brno Christmas will be a stellar end to this year's cultural season.
Without Borders! This is the motto of this year's festival, which is the only one in the world to present the most performed Czech opera composer Leoš Janáček directly in the places where he worked, lived and created. The International Opera and Music Festival Janáček Brno will kick off on 1 November and will run until the end of the month. The festival is unique not only in the Czech Republic but also in Europe, and has become an event of international importance.
And this year, Christmas in Brno will also be international. In fact, Brno boasts the title of European Capital of Christmas and will offer an attractive mix of popular traditions and a modern approach. Of course, we can look forward to delicious gastronomy and a varied cultural programme. The Christmas market will take place in four squares and one courtyard, and the festive atmosphere will not only captivate children. Liberty Square will boast a Christmas tree for the 100th time, as well as a central bar and a daily live programme. The Dominican Square will be decorated with a huge nativity scene and a playing Christmas star, while the Green Market will feature craft stalls and a children's carousel. On Moravské náměstí you will be able to take a ride on a scenic bicycle or ice skates and the courtyard of the Old Town Hall will be transformed into a gastronomic paradise. If you go to the Christmas market, then only to Brno this year!
