Ostrava
Ostrava is a city in the borderland of Moravia and Silesia in the Czech Republic. With a population of nearly 300,000, it is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the centre of the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague.
Ostrava is a predominantly industrial city and has been so since the 18th century, when the discovery of extensive coal deposits in the area led to an industrial boom and Ostrava quickly grew from a small provincial town of around one thousand inhabitants to one of the largest cities in the region. As a major steel manufacturing centre, Ostrava suffered heavy destruction during the Second World War, and holds the sad distinction of being one of the most polluted cities of the European Union.
Understand
Ostrava is more of a state of mind; it is truly difficult to understand unless you've experienced it.
Get in
By train
- Prague:
- 3½h, Czech Railway's IC/EC every two hours (CZK 457 regular fare, CZK 229 companions in a group of 2 or more people, but best price is CZK 230 with SporoTiket).
- 3h, Czech Railway's SC Pendolino every one or two hours (prices as above plus CZK 100–200 compulsory reservation fee)
- 3½h, new operator RegioJet several times a day. Tickets are generally sold online and start at CZK 230.
- Brno: 2½h, hourly fast trains
- Olomouc: 1h, IC/EC trains and SC Pendolino (compulsory reservation) every two hours. Beware of some fast trains (rychlík) from Olomouc to Ostrava, they go longer way through Jeseníky mountains for more than 3 hours.
- Warszawa: 4½h, three ECs a day
Moreover there are direct connections from Vienna, Bratislava, Žilina, Budapest, Kiev and Moscow. There's no direct connection from Kraków (except some night trains arriving at Ostrava in the middle of the night); the trip with change at Jaworzno Szczakowa and Katowice lasts over 5 hours.
Ostrava has two main train stations, Ostrava hl.n. in the north and Ostrava-Svinov in the west of the city. Fast and international trains stop at both of them.
By bus
The main bus station in Ostrava is Ostrava ÚAN. Student Agency offers 5 buses a day from Brno, the journey time is 2¾ hours.
By air
Ostrava has an international airport called Ostrava Leos Janacek Airport with regular services to Prague (Czech Airlines, 3-4 times daily) and Paris (SmartWings, 2 flights per week - operating on Thursday and Sunday). Hourly buses from the airport to Ostrava city center through main bus station, a 40-minute ride, depart between 7:15AM and 10:15PM, tickets can be bought from drivers.
Many passengers instead choose Katowice Pyrzowice Airport (KTW). This airport situated 120 kilometres northeast of Ostrava, and can be reached by A1/D1 motorway in about an hour. The airport has direct connections with over 30 destinations across Europe and Asia.
Tiger Express operates a shuttle bus service from Katowice Airport operates six times a day with a timetable harmonized with the airport's air traffic. Tickets prices begin from 9€ one way. The journey takes 90 minutes and free Wi-Fi and luggage transport is included in this price.
Get around
By tram and bus
Tram and bus travel in Ostrava is inexpensive. A 15-minute ticket costs just CZK 15, a 60-minute ticket CZK 24 and a 24-hour ticket is CZK 75 (Mar 2012) [1]. Transport is available 24 hours a day, however there is a reduced service between midnight and 4AM. See a city line map [2] and online timetable [3].
See
- Landek park, Pod Landekem 64 (bus stop „Hornické muzeum”), ☏ +420 596 131 803, landekpark@vitkovice.cz. 9AM–6PM daily. Located on the former Anselm Mine (one of the first to be established at the end of the 18th century in what is today the Petřkovice District of Ostrava), the Mining Museum was opened in the early 1990’s. It is the largest mining museum in the Czech Republic. The coal seams of the former Anselm Mine surface at the Landek National Nature Reserve, a world famous site in terms of geology, archaeology, history, natural sciences and mining. Man was using black coal here more than 25,000 years ago! A unique exhibition of the Mining Museum highlights the evolution of coal mining in the Ostrava-Karviná region, as well as mining technology, and rescue services. In fact, it is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. The site includes sports and recreation facilities, bowling, cycling trails and a children’s corner. Kč 70 (short circuit) or Kč 150 (long circuit), double price for an English guide, book him in advance.
- The Vítkovice Area (Dolní oblast Vítkovice), Ruská 101 (tram stop „Důl Hlubina”), ☏ +420 604 603 166, nkp@vitkovice.cz. May–Oct, excursions begin at 10AM, 12AM, 2PM and 4PM. This is an industrial area origination from the 1st half of the 19th century. In 2002, in view of its exceptional character, the entire ground was declared a site of National Cultural Heritage. There was the complete technological flow: the mining of coal, a coke plant, and iron and steel production, all of which was unique to the Czech Republic. This historic landmark was listed as the European Cultural Heritage in 2008. The Vítkovice complex Dolní oblast is set to undergo extensive reconstruction. The giant gas container for blast furnace gas (around 70 m wide and 33 m high) will be modified into a concert hall for 1,500 visitors, a gallery, café, etc., based on design by leading Czech architect, Josef Pleskot. Blast Furnace no 1 will become the start of a tour route, and the sixth energy central office will become an industrial museum (project authored by Václav and Helena Zemánkovi. The expected date for completion of reconstruction is set for 2013. Kč 80.
- The Michal Mine (Důl Michal), Československé armády 95/413 (trolleybus stop „Michálkovice”), dulmichal@ostrava.npu.cz. Apr, Oct: Sa Su; May–Sep: Tu–Su; excursions begin at 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, in Jul and Aug also at 5PM. Michal Mine, whose history goes back to 1843, is an extremely valuable authentic industrial site in terms of construction and technical equipment. The area was declared a National Cultural Landmark in 1995. Today, the museum provides visitors with the chance to look over all of the above groundwork areas that a miner would have to go through to get to his shift. The tour includes the dressing rooms, washrooms, registry, dispatching, and most importantly, the machine room, with its original and unique equipment that had worked until 1993, when the mine was permanently closed. The scene, intentionally left intact, without any artificial arrangements being made, gives the impression as if work there has just ended. Kč 90, double price for an English guide, book him at least 1 day in advance.
- Silesian Ostrava Castle (Slezskoostravský hrad), Hradní 1 (bus stop „Hradní náměstí” or tram stop „Důl Zárubek”), ☏ +420 596 115 967, hrad.ostrava@cerna-louka.cz. Mar–May, Sep–Dec Tu–Su 10AM–6PM; Jun–Aug 9AM–8PM daily. The Silesian Ostrava Castle is the city's most historic cultural monument. It was built in the second half of the 13th century, close to the confluence of the Lučina and Ostravice rivers, where a fortified Slavonic settlement had once stood. In 1872, the castle burnt down, but was later re-built. The main cause of its destruction was coal-mining, with seams worked directly beneath the castle. The whole structure sank 16 m into the ground! The castle has been reconstructed and visitors now can view in its interior several permanent exhibitions telling the history of the building and the city of Ostrava, an exhibition of torture instruments, the castle’s vaulted cellars with witches, fresh-water fish aquaria and the castle gallery. Kč 70.
- The Miniuni, Výstaviště Černá louka (tram stop „Výstaviště”), ☏ +420 596 119 900, miniuni.ovas@cerna-louka.cz. Mar–May, Sep–Oct Tu–Su 10AM–6PM, Jun–Aug 9AM–8PM daily, Nov–Dec Tu–Su 10AM–4PM. The Miniuni is an interesting attraction for both children and adults. Spread out over 1.5 hectares visitors can see more than 30 models of significant buildings of European cities, like Big Ben, Old Town Hall or one of the best-known landmarks of Berlin the Brandenburg Gate, all dominated by the 12 metre-high Eiffel tower. The models are built at a scale of 1:25. Recently added are the Wonders of the Ancient Times. There are railway lines with little trains running across the grounds and waterways with a steamship. Special exhibitions and entertainment events for children are organized here regularly. Kč 70.
- The Ostrava Zoo, Michálkovická 197 (bus stop „Zoo”), ☏ +420 596 241 269, info@zoo-ostrava.cz. Sep–Mar 9AM–16PM, Apr–Aug 9AM–7PM. The Ostrava Zoo was founded in 1951. It covers an area of 100 ha and is the home to nearly 360 different species of animals. One of the most popular attractions is the seasonal, commented feeding of animals, evening guided tours and a number of accompanying events, not only for children (Children’s Day, lampion parades, decoration of the Christmas tree, etc). There are several children’s corners inside the Zoo compound. If there is enough snow, visitors may go cross-country skiing directly inside the Zoo. Kč 90.
- The Ostrava Museum, Masarykovo náměstí 1, ☏ +420 597 578 450, muzeum@ostrmuz.cz. Mo–Fr 9AM–5PM, Sa 9AM–1PM, Su 1PM–5PM. The Museum is situated in one of the oldest buildings in Ostrava, the Old Town Hall on Masaryk Square. A new permanent exhibit opened here in June 2009, containing art history collections, history of the city and the nature and landscape of the local area. The unique exhibit, and the pride of the Ostrava Museum, is the indoor astronomical clock, 225cm high – a work by Jan Mašek. The astronomical clock offers 4 parts – its own clock face, the calendar, and the astronomical and planetary parts. Kč 60.
- The Viewing Tower of the New City Hall (Vyhlídková věž), Prokešovo náměstí 6 (bus and trolleybus stop „Nová radnice”), ☏ +420 599 443 096, vez@ostravainfo.cz. 9AM–7PM daily. The Viewing Tower is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. On a clear day, it is possible to see the entire city, the nearby Beskydy Mountains, and even neighbouring Poland. The Viewing Tower has dominated the Ostrava skyline since it was built at the New City Hall (the largest in the Czech Republic) in 1930. The strict functionalist style of the tower creates, in the opinion of its designers, a noble beacon of concrete, metal and glass. The tower reaches 298.05 metres above sea level, or roughly 85.60 metres above ground level. The tower is equipped with an illuminated clock face, an elevator, and a lookout deck 72 metres above the ground. The Ostrava City Information Centre, located directly beneath the tower, provides all sorts of information about the city, in several languages.
Do
- Golden Spike Ostrava (Zlatá tretra Ostrava), Závodní 86 (tram stop „Městský stadion”). Athletics meeting, part of the IAAF World Challenge. Normally held at the end of May or beginning of June. Usain Bolt has competed here for the last four years (2007–2010).
- Colours of Ostrava. The Colours of Ostrava international music festival features many domestic and world renowned musical acts. The festival is organised in the Ostrava city centre and in clubs on Stodolní Street every year, with the participation of more than 100 bands and DJ's from around the world. The pleasant summer atmosphere is enhanced with a movie theatre presenting musical video clips and movies, a special dancing stage, drums, salsa, and belly-dancing workshops, and the Children's World, enjoyed especially by parents and kids. It was awarded the 2005 Festival of the Year.
- The International Music Festival Janáček's May Ostrava (Janáčkův máj). The Janáček May International Music Festival is the oldest and largest music festival in Ostrava, founded in 1975. It is organised by the City of Ostrava and the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra. The festival attracts not only renowned musical talent from Europe and around the world, but also hosts musicological conferences, exhibitions and theatre performances.
- Spectaculo Interesse, Pivovarská 15. In 1995, Ostrava's Puppet Theatre held the first Spectaculo Interesse International Puppet Theatre Festival, establishing the city on the map of European puppetry. Every two years, puppet masters from such diverse places as France, Russia, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, South Korea, Slovakia, and Austria come to perform. The festival holds a competition, and many of the performances are held not only in the City's modern, custom-designed Puppet Theatre, but out on the streets among the public, as well.
Buy
Ostrava is the shopping centre of the region. You can find small specialised shops, as well as hypermarkets and shopping galleries. You can buy souvenirs for yourselves or for your family and friends in branch offices of the Ostrava City Information Centre.
Eat
In such a big city the number of restaurants is naturally enormous, ranging from the very famous restaurants to the less expensive trattorie or pizzerie. Whether you are looking to enjoy classical Czech food, regional specialities or international cuisine, Ostrava probably has what you are looking for. A visit to the region would not be complete without a pint of the local beer, “Ostravar”, which has been brewed in the city since 1897. The main street for wining, dining and having a great time is Stodolní Street, in the heart of the city. It boasts over 60 bars and restaurants in an area covering just a few blocks.
- La Petite Conversation, Chelčického 8. Mo-Th 7AM-7PM, Fr 7AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-3PM. Close to the Stodolní tram stop, the only real Belgian café in Ostrava. Very good sandwiches and coffee. Sandwiches from 49 Kč.
- Café au pere tranquille (French café) (On Stodolní street.). Mo-Th 7AM-7PM, Fr 7AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-3PM. Pancakes, French cuisine from 75 Kč.
- Harenda u Barborky - stylish restaurant at the Mining museum (On Landek park). Czech, Mining cuisine from 15 Kč.
- Koras - culinary specialities, International cuisine (On Soukenická 9 street). culinary specialities, International cuisine.
- Moravská chalupa - stylish restaurant with regional specialities (Close to Stodolní street). czech specialities from 40 Kč.
The secret sweet treats of Ostrava are the katowicke rurki, named after the nearby city of Katowice in Poland - although they are arguably a version of a similar treat popular in the entirety Poland, and not peculiar to Katowice at all. The katowicke rurki consist of a sweet wafer rolled into a tube, and then filled with pařížská šlehačka, both using a specially-designed machine. Pařížská šlehačka, in turn, is a filling vaguely resembling chocolate-flavoured whipped cream, although quite often having nothing to do with either cream or chocolate when it comes to its ingredients, and obviously having no obvious connection to the city of Paris after which it is ostensibly named.
Katowicke rurki are usually made by specialized confissers in possession of one of the unique machines, who often have been operating their specialized businesses for decades. One of those is hidden in the Hornicka street.
Drink
Ostrava is home to the famous Stodolní street, the biggest strip of bars and pubs in the country.
- E99, Stodolní, ☏ +420 608 808 859. M-F 11AM-2AM. Sa 11AM-4AM. Su Closed. Friendly pub at the end of Stodolní street, near the train station. Gambrinus 26Kč, Plzen 30Kč.
Sleep
The city offers a wide variety of accommodation covering all kinds of travel budget and level of service.
- Mamaison Business & Conference Hotel Imperial Ostrava, Tyršova 6, ☏ +420 599 099 779, reservations.imperial@mamaison.com. Renowned hotel with restaurants, relaxation centre and meeting facilities. Located in the city centre.
- Park Inn Ostrava. Arguably Ostrava's most modern hotel, and something of a flagship for the brand given the standard and quality compared to the chain's older properties.
- Mercure Ostrava. Located in a historic building with an impressive dining terrace, the Mercure provides an expectable standard.
Go next