Opava (2. strana)

REGION Opava The industrial and culture heart of Czech Silesia is a city with a great history and numerous sights. The statutory city of Opava is in the historical area of Silesia, a picturesque landscape at the confluence of the largest rivers of the region, the Opava and Moravice Rivers. The former Royal City has about 57,000 inhabitants. Let us briefly introduce the history of one of the oldest cities of the Czech Republic. The first written mention of a settlement situated at the crossroads of trade routes comes from 1195; the foundation of the city is certified in a document from 1224. Opava was very popular with the House of Přemyslid, and the most famous Czech dynasty founded a mint here. For centuries the city has thrived and developed despite countless wars, epidemics, and fires. The 18th and 19th centuries can be considered its most prosperous time. Opava became the capital of Austrian Silesia, hosted the congress of the victorious Holy Alliance, and founded the oldest museum in the current Czech Republic. World War II left Opava critically damaged: 80 % of the buildings in the city centre were destroyed. Yet Opava has kept its historical charms and a range of sites which are now protected, and it is listed as National Heritage. Opava is currently a statutory city, a centre for culture, education and sports in Silesia. It is the home of successful businesses such as Model Obaly a.s., Mondelez Czech Republic s.r.o., Teva Pharmaceuticals CR, s.r.o. and others. text: statutární město Opava foto: www.opava-city.cz POSITIV 1/2020 ǀ 37