About Ostrava
When you come to Ostrava, the third biggest city in the Czech Republic, it is hard to believe that only a few decades ago (and several hundred years before that) it was once a centre of heavy industry and mining – the so-called "Black Ostrava". But in the past 10 years, Ostrava has changed beyond recognition. Instead of a grey industrial agglomeration it has become a colourful modern city with an extremely wide range of cultural and sports events, and a large influx of students who constitute 10 % of the population of Ostrava. Intermingling this combination of industrial history with a young-spirited present is precisely what makes the atmosphere of the city so special. It is something you can only understand by strolling through the historical city centre with its architectural jewels hovering over the modern bridge right next to the old industrial area that is now aspiring to be on UNESCO's list of historically significant places.
The City is Changing
These days the old factory serves as a prime location for cafés, art studios, sports and cultural events, such as the world known multi-genre music festival Colours of Ostrava that each year attracts over 40,000 people from all over the world. Ostrava has also become the European City of Sport 2014, which is no surprise given that athletics have firm roots in the area. Since 1961, Ostrava has hosted the prestigious international athletic meeting The Golden Spike (Zlata tretra) visited by some of the world's most famous sportsmen, such as Renaud Lavillenie, Julius Yego, or the legendary Usain Bolt, who is closely related to Ostrava not only as a committed participant, but also as the namesake and patron of The Bolt Tower – an observation tower, café and historical gallery built right on top of the blast furnace right in the middle of the industrial area mentioned above.
Culture is Everywhere
But in spite of its industrial history, which has typically been related to certain issues regarding nature and culture, Ostrava continues to expand in both. The city cultivates its public greenery with special care (Ostrava has become the third greenest city in the Czech Republic), its theatres commonly winning national prizes, and there are more and more art galleries, cafés and clubs, each with their own daily cultural programme. Ostrava, simply, is not something to be described – but to be experienced. Visit us and meet a green city with a black soul!
Updated: 29. 10. 2020
