City of Ostrava

Ostrava is a statutory, regional, and university city in the northeast of Moravia. With just under 285,000 inhabitants and by its area, it is the third-largest city in the Czech Republic. It is located in the Moravian-Silesian Region, close to the Polish border, at the confluence of the Odra, Opava, Ostravice, and Lučina rivers.

The first written mention of Ostrava, today’s Moravian Ostrava, dates back to 1267. It was granted town status between 1267–1279. Ostrava grew as an industrial hub of the coal basin and, thanks to its mining and steel industries, was once referred to as the “steel heart of the republic.” Ostrava is also an important transport hub. It lies on major railway and road routes connecting the Czech Republic with Poland and Slovakia. The city offers modern transport connections, including Leoš Janáček Ostrava International Airport, which provides flights to numerous European destinations.

Among the city’s major cultural events are the music festivals Colours of Ostrava and Beats for Love, the Folklore without Borders Ostrava festival, classical music festivals dedicated to Leoš Janáček, the St. Wenceslas Music Festival, and the Shakespeare Festival. Ostrava is also home to several universities. Ostrava has a strong sporting tradition and has hosted many major national, European, and world-level events. It stages the annual international athletics meeting Golden Spike Ostrava and has three times co-hosted the Ice Hockey World Championship, which took place in Ostravar Aréna.

Photo credit: City of Ostrava.