Brno: Czech „Second City", Cool Again

What do the historical monuments and street names tell us about our society? Monuments to the Soviet Red Army, which were part of the townscape for many years, now find themselves at the centre of a fierce, protracted debate which appears to be gathering momentum. The Prague 6 district authorities recently decided to remove a statue of the controversial Soviet Marshal Ivan Koněv, from their premises, but an important thoroughfare in another part of Prague still bears his name.

There is a palace in Moravia like none other. You will find it in Kroměříž, not far from the banks of the Morava River. What used to be a summer representative residence of the bishops and archbishops of nearby Olomouc, later became a popular film location. Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, Kroměříž is a „must see" for all travellers to Eastern Czechia.

"Less is more" is an aphorism often associated with the German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He might be better known as the last director of the Bauhaus, the famous school of modern architecture in Germany in the interwar period. But before emigrating to the United States, Mies left an indelible mark in the heart of Moravia: the Villa Tugendhat in Brno.

Puppet theater in Czechia and Slovakia is a way of conveying a vision of the world. That is one of the main reasons why UNESCO inscribed the art on its List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity three years ago. In the Christmas season, many a theater and community hall across the country is filled with young audiences out to enjoy holiday performances by professional as well as amateur companies.

Brno is cool again. The second city of the Czech Republic is finally shedding its somewhat shabby image and finding healthy self-confidence. Its streets are filling with smart shops and there is a lot to do and see.

The city of Jihlava hides a well-kept secret. Not many people know that one of the best known and admired composers of late 19th century spent the forming years of his life right here.  Gustav Mahler was born in this Czech city. Today you can visit "Mahler's House and learn more about the childhood of this world-famous composer and director. 

Constantin Kinsky was born 1961 in Paris, France, to one of the oldest aristocratic families in Bohemia then in French exile. Educated in France, he became a successful investment banker and strategic consultant and advised the Czech governments of Josef Tošovský and Miloš Zeman thus helping to save the Czech banking system during the crisis of late 90´s. For nearly twenty years, now, Constantin Kinsky concentrates on revitalization of the s family estate in Žďár nad Sázavou. It consists of a 13th century Cistercian monastery turned nobility country house and considerable forstery and fresh water fisheries business. Among other projects, he started the award winning „New Generation Museum“ and cooperates successfully with the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Church at Zelena hora which is in the care of the Catholic Curch.

Built on a small hill called Zelená hora near Žďár nad Sázavou, it is one of the most spectacular and yet unassuming sights in the Czech Republic. The architectural significance of the church on the border of the historic lands of Bohemia and Moravia was officially recognized by UNESCO in 1994 when it became the third site in the country to be included in the World Heritage List, preceded only by Prague and the city of Telč. 

Czechia is not all that famous for making world-class cheese. There is, however, at least one exception. A very peculiar local type of cheese made in Moravia called „Olomoucké tvarůžky" or, more colloquially „tvargle" It has been produced in the region around Olomouc for centuries and is famous for its aromatic smell.

Czechia has substantial deposits of uranium. Radioactive ore was mined here in the second half of the 20th century. Most of it was sent to the former Soviet Union within a dubious deal from which Czechs had little profit. Since the mining operations caused heavy environmental damage and brought little profit to the country, they were phased-out. But there are still uranium deposits that might be exploited in the future.