Znojmo is a major town in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, the administrative capital of the Znojmo District. It has about 34,000 inhabitants. The Znojmo metropolitan area has a population of over 40,000 people.[2] Znojmo is the historical and cultural centre of southwestern Moravia and the second most populated town in the South Moravian Region. The historic centre of Znojmo is well preserved and historically significant and is protected by law as urban monument reservation.

Administrative parts

Villages and town parts of Derflice, Kasárna, Konice, Mramotice, Načeratice, Oblekovice, Popice and Přímětice are administrative parts of Znojmo.

Geography

The town is situated on a rock outcropping on the steep left bank of the Thaya River, about 55 km (34 mi) southwest of the regional capital Brno. Located near the border with Austria, it is connected to Vienna by railway and road (about 80 minutes).

Sights

The Gothic Church of St. Nicholas and the Late Gothic Town Hall tower are the most recognizable landmarks. The church was built in 1348 by Emperor Charles IV, and the town hall, with its 75 m (250 ft) tower, dates from around 1446.

Overlooking the Thaya River valley, on the edge of the medieval city, there is Znojmo Castle, dating back to 11th century, founded by Přemyslid dukes. The only remains of the castle used by the Přemysl dukes is the Romanesque Rotunda of Saint Catherine, the interior of which is covered with 11th-century frescoes depicting biblical scenes and illustrating the life of Přemysl.

Under the town and castle is a vast labyrinth of connected passageways and cellars, Znojmo Catacombs, developed in the 14th and 15th century for defensive purposes and containing wells, drainage, fireplaces, trap doors and escapeways that led beyond the fortifications of the town. The catacombs are the largest system of underground corridors and cellars in the Czech Republic – they are almost 27 km long and up to 4 levels deep.

Agriculture, viticulture and nature

Znojmo is famous for local production of cucumbers, pickled in the original sweet-sour and spicy pickle, whose cultivation in the Znojmo region was introduced in 1571 by Louka monastery Abbot George II, coming from North Bohemian village Čepirohy. The special taste is also the result of local type of cucumbers, cultivation method, soil, climatic conditions, processing and also the packaging in which they are kept. These are also an ingredient of local specialties such as Znojmo roast or Znojmo goulash. Nowadays, the cucumber festivals are held in the town every year.

Thanks to favorable climatic conditions, the town is successful also in winery and fruit growing. It is the center of viticulture of the Znojmo wine-growing sub-region and a destination for nature lovers, mainly thanks to the newly established National Park “Podyjí”.Znojmo CatacombsColumn commemorating the plagueFlood in 2006

Sport

• 1. SC Znojmo FK is a local football club which plays in the Moravian–Silesian Football League (3rd tier of the Czech football league system).

• Orli Znojmo is a local ice hockey club playing the Austrian Hockey League (also known as the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, or EBEL)

Culture

Znojmo is well known for its wine festival that takes place every September. The main attraction of the festival is a historical parade celebrating coming of king John of Bohemia.