19 Facts About Ostrava

Ostrava is a city in the north-east of the Czech Republic, and the capital of the Moravian-Silesian Region.

Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic in terms of both population and area, the second largest city in the region of Moravia, and the largest city in the historical land of Czech Silesia.

Ostrava grew in importance due to its position at the heart of a major coalfield, becoming an important industrial engine of the Austrian empire.

Ostrava is home to various cultural facilities including theatres and galleries.

Ostrava grew on the banks of the Ostra River from which it took its name.

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However, Ostrava began to decline in importance after the Thirty Years' War, and it was occupied by Danish forces in 1626, and by Swedish forces from 1642 to 1650.

Ostrava became an important tourist centre that offered easy access to the nearby Hruby Jesenik and Moravian-Silesian Beskids mountains.

Ostrava is situated at the meeting point of four rivers: Oder, Opava, Ostravice and Lucina.

Ostrava is mostly located in the Ostrava Basin lowland, the southwestern part od the municipal territory extends into the Moravian Gate.

Ostrava is the transport and logistics hub of the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic.

Ostrava is a major railway hub, sited on Railway Corridors II and III and serving as an important centre for cargo and passenger transport between the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

The City of Ostrava is involved in a range of projects focusing on environmental improvements, including a web portal, www.

Air quality in Ostrava is currently very poor, with high concentrations of benzopyrene.

Ostrava has four permanent theatres: the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre, the Petr Bezruc Theatre, the Arena Chamber Theatre and the Ostrava Puppet Theatre – which hosts the international Spectaculo Interesse festival every odd-numbered year and the Theatre Without Barriers festival every even-numbered year.

Since 2002 Ostrava has been the venue for the annual multi-genre music festival Colours of Ostrava, which features an international line-up of artists and attracts crowds of tens of thousands.

Ostrava has several sports clubs in various sports, and has hosted many major national and international sports events.

Ostrava has opportune conditions for cycling, with its generally flat terrain and an extensive network of cycle routes.

Ostrava has a long tradition of hosting top-level European and world championships.

In 2004 and 2015 Ostrava co-hosted the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship at the Ostrava Arena.