Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic. It is renowned for its industrial history, and it has now developed a strong reputation for its dynamic and forward-looking approach to business and innovation. The city’s strategic projects are planned in a joint process by both experts and citizens – to view the projects, see the website of the city’s Strategic Plan (fajnOVA).
In 2022, Ostrava opened the former historic city slaughterhouse complex, which has been converted into a new home for the PLATO contemporary art gallery.
The University of Ostrava has built a state-of-the-art campus at a riverside site in Ostrava city centre, with two brand-new buildings for students of art and sports science.
A new cycle bridge over the Ostravice River has been built to a design by the architect Josef Pleskot, linking the right bank of the river with the cultural complex and visitor attraction at Lower Vítkovice.
The prestigious Architizer magazine ranked Ostrava’s planned new concert hall, designed by the American architect Steven Holl, among the world’s top ten most eagerly awaited new architectural projects.
The former Textilia Ostravica department store, one of Ostrava’s architectural gems dating back to 1930, is being restored to its former glory. The project is nearing completion, and the Boutique Business Incubator Ostravica is scheduled to open this year.
One of the jewels in Ostrava’s architectural crown, the 1920s Grossmann Villa, has undergone a complete renovation.
Ostrava offers a wide range of leisure opportunities. One of the most popular parts of the city is the riverside district known as “Little Copenhagen” (at Havlíčkovo Nábřeží), where people enjoy strolling along the embankments, cycling, and activities of all kinds throughout the year, including swing band evenings and a popular riverside festival. Particularly popular in the summer months, the area is a magnet for new bars and cafés. For families with children, the Pavilion at the Black Meadow (Černá Louka) Exhibition Centre is a must.
Ostrava has a rich cultural life, offering something for all tastes. With a vibrant theatrical scene, festivals and cultural events at the Lower Vítkovice complex, you are sure to enjoy some unforgettable experiences here. Popular venues include the Antonín Dvořák Theatre, the Jiří Myron Theatre, Divadlo 12, the Petr Bezruč Theatre, Divadlo Mír, the Aréna Chamber Theatre, the Ostrava Puppet Theatre, Studio G, and the Old Aréna.
top 10 activities in Ostrava
historic sights
Art Nouveau gems
industrial architecture
