Opava Summary

Updated: 28.03.2020

Opava Summary

River: Opava
Population: 56,6 thousand
City rights: 1224
Sights: Hláska, Silesian Theatre, Silesian Museum, Breda&Weinstein department store
Fortification: demolished 1800-1839, gates Hradecká, Ratibořská and Jaktařská
Parks: created after the demolition of the fortification, Smetanovy sady, Sady Svobody and Dvořákovy sady
Churches: Co-cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Church of Saint Adalbert
Famous people: Petr Bezruč, Joy Adamson, Gregor Johann Mendel
Companies: Teva, Ostroj, Model Obaly, Brano, Mlýn Herber, Mondeléz - Opavia

Opava is situated in the north-east of the Czech Republic, on the River Opava, in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The city is a historical centre and the former capital city of Czech Silesia.
          The city is first mentioned to have city rights in 1224, but the settlement was documented since the end of the 12th century. The historical centre was surrounded by fortification with three gates, Ratibořská, Hradecká and Jaktařská. The city was badly damaged by fire in 1689 and a famous picture of the event can be found in the museum of Opava. The fortification was demolished in the first half of the 19th century and parks were created instead.
           It used to be a German city, called Troppau and in 1820 the Congress of Troppau of the Holy Alliance took place. A famous department store was built by Breda and Weinstein in the 1920s, but now the building is closed and a new shopping centre was opened next to it. The city was also badly damaged during the WWII, almost 1/3 of the buildings were destroyed.
           It is a very cultural city, the most famous festival is Bezručova Opava. The Silesian Museum, founded in 1814, is the oldest museum in the Czech Republic. The Silesian Theatre was fouded in 1805 and it plays opera and it is famous for its comedies.
           Many international companies have their factories in Opava. The pharmaceutical industry has a long history in the city and is represented by Teva, founded as Galena in 1952. The automotive industry is represented by Brano in Branka u Opavy and the engineering company Ostroj exports mining equipment. The food industry is represented by Moravskoslezské Cukrovary and Mlýn Herber. In 1840, KMB Fiedor founded the first company to make cookies in Opava, it was renamed Opavia in 1958.
          The city is surrounded by many villages and small towns. There is a beautiful castle with very interesting history in Hradec nad Moravicí. In Kravaře, the famous Odpust on St Bartholomew's Day attracts thousands of people. Arboretum Nový Dvůr is a part of the Silesian Museum which offers a large park with many rare trees.