Uherský Brod
Encyclopedia
Uherský Brod (ˈuɦɛrskiː ˈbrot; ) is a town in the Zlín Region
of the Czech Republic
. It is situated in the south-east of Moravia
(Czech
: Morava). It lies in the Vizovice Highlands
(Vizovická vrchovina) and near the White Carpathian Mountains (Bílé Karpaty).
Other important towns and villages in the region of Uherský Brod:
' or 'river crossing to Hungary') can be traced back to the 10th century. In 1272 it had become sufficiently important that, Premysl Otakar II granted it the status of a King's town.
The 16th century was the all too short golden age of the town, which flourished under the lordship of John of Kunovice (Czech: Jan z Kunovic). The townhall and lords' house were built during this time. The good times came to an end at the beginning of the 17th century when the Hungarians started to attack it in a series of invasions.
Later, the German and Jewish communities began to grow and in the 19th century the town was transformed by industrial development, but has managed to retain its character and charm.
World War II brought further invasion and the development of military industries - Česká Zbrojovka
, a precision firearms manufacturer, plays a leading role in the region's industry. It also led to the loss of the town's important Jewish community, the striking reminder of which is the highly evocative Jewish cemetery.
There is also a local brewery, Janáček, that supplies mainly in the region. The name is often confused with Leoš Janáček
, a Czech composer. However, the two have little in common.
On the hill above the town is the Observatory. Dating from 1961, this impressive site is the creation of the townspeople, having been funded and built entirely by the town's residents. Today [2009] the observatory has plans for a large planetarium to help it with its educational message.
). However, most likely it is just a place where he spent a part of his life.
There is a large and impressive museum and a secondary grammar school that bear his name.
The personality of Comenius was the grounds for the twinning of Uherský Brod and Naarden, the Netherlands
, where Comenius is buried.
Zlín Region
Zlín Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the central-eastern part of the historical region of Moravia. It is named after its capital Zlín....
of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. It is situated in the south-east of Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
(Czech
Czech language
Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
: Morava). It lies in the Vizovice Highlands
Vizovice Highlands
The Vizovice Highlands is an area of relatively modest but rugged highlands within the Zlin Region of the Czech Republic, named for the town of Vizovice....
(Vizovická vrchovina) and near the White Carpathian Mountains (Bílé Karpaty).
Other important towns and villages in the region of Uherský Brod:
- Bánov
- BojkoviceBojkoviceBojkovice is a town in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It is part of the region of Slovácko, which is more a traditional than administrative unit...
- Nivnice - One of the three possible birthplaces of Jan Amos Komenský (ComeniusComeniusJohn Amos Comenius ; ; Latinized: Iohannes Amos Comenius) was a Czech teacher, educator, and writer. He served as the last bishop of Unity of the Brethren, and became a religious refugee and one of the earliest champions of universal education, a concept eventually set forth in his book Didactica...
). - Komňa - Also a possible birthplace of Jan Amos Komenský (ComeniusComeniusJohn Amos Comenius ; ; Latinized: Iohannes Amos Comenius) was a Czech teacher, educator, and writer. He served as the last bishop of Unity of the Brethren, and became a religious refugee and one of the earliest champions of universal education, a concept eventually set forth in his book Didactica...
). Komenský bears his name after "Komňa". - VlčnovVlcnovVlčnov is a village and municipality located in Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. This region is in the southeastern part of Moravia close to the border with Slovakia....
History
The history of Uherský Brod (a name which can be loosely translated as the 'Hungarian fordFord (crossing)
A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading or in a vehicle. A ford is mostly a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a low water crossing, which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low.The names of many towns...
' or 'river crossing to Hungary') can be traced back to the 10th century. In 1272 it had become sufficiently important that, Premysl Otakar II granted it the status of a King's town.
The 16th century was the all too short golden age of the town, which flourished under the lordship of John of Kunovice (Czech: Jan z Kunovic). The townhall and lords' house were built during this time. The good times came to an end at the beginning of the 17th century when the Hungarians started to attack it in a series of invasions.
Later, the German and Jewish communities began to grow and in the 19th century the town was transformed by industrial development, but has managed to retain its character and charm.
World War II brought further invasion and the development of military industries - Česká Zbrojovka
Ceská Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod
Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod is a Czech firearms manufacturer.-History:CZUB was established in 1936 as a branch of the Česká zbrojovka armament firm in the small Moravian town of Uherský Brod in Czechoslovakia, now in the Czech Republic....
, a precision firearms manufacturer, plays a leading role in the region's industry. It also led to the loss of the town's important Jewish community, the striking reminder of which is the highly evocative Jewish cemetery.
Notable sites
More recently the town has begun seeing a much more welcome group of invaders - tourists. With the White Carpathian national park and the trans-Carpathian cycle routes nearby, many tourists choose to spend a day or two relaxing in a picturesque and friendly town.There is also a local brewery, Janáček, that supplies mainly in the region. The name is often confused with Leoš Janáček
Leoš Janácek
Leoš Janáček was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and all Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical style. Until 1895 he devoted himself mainly to folkloristic research and his early musical output was influenced by...
, a Czech composer. However, the two have little in common.
On the hill above the town is the Observatory. Dating from 1961, this impressive site is the creation of the townspeople, having been funded and built entirely by the town's residents. Today [2009] the observatory has plans for a large planetarium to help it with its educational message.
Comenius
Uherský Brod is a possible birthplace of Jan Amos Komenský (Latinised: ComeniusComenius
John Amos Comenius ; ; Latinized: Iohannes Amos Comenius) was a Czech teacher, educator, and writer. He served as the last bishop of Unity of the Brethren, and became a religious refugee and one of the earliest champions of universal education, a concept eventually set forth in his book Didactica...
). However, most likely it is just a place where he spent a part of his life.
There is a large and impressive museum and a secondary grammar school that bear his name.
The personality of Comenius was the grounds for the twinning of Uherský Brod and Naarden, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, where Comenius is buried.