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Hodonín
Town
Town hall
Town hall
Flag of Hodonín
Flag
Coat of arms of Hodonín
Coat of arms
Hodonín is located in Czech Republic
Hodonín
Hodonín
Location in Czech Republic
Country  Czech Republic
Region South Moravian
District Hodonín
First mentioned 1169
Area
 • Total 63.31 km2 (24.44 sq mi)
Elevation
167 m (548 ft)
Population
 (2024-01-01)
 • Total 23,657
 • Density 373.67/km2 (967.80/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
695 01

Hodonín is a town in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It is home to about 24,000 people. Hodonín is known for its history, interesting sights, and its location near the Morava River.

Where is Hodonín Located?

Hodonín is found in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic. It is about 51 kilometers (32 miles) southeast of Brno, which is a big city. The town is right on the border with Slovakia.

Rivers and Landscape

Hodonín is in a flat area called the Lower Morava Valley. The Morava River flows right by the town. This river also forms the border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. On the western side of Hodonín, you'll find the Kyjovka River. This river helps fill eight fishponds in the area.

Hodonín's Past: A Brief History

Hodonín has a long and interesting history. A castle was built here around the 11th century.

Early Days and Growth

The first reliable mention of Hodonín in writing was in the year 1169. It officially became a town in 1228. Like many places, Hodonín faced tough times. During the Thirty Years' War, which was a big conflict in Europe, the town was badly damaged. Many people left, and the population went down.

Rebuilding and New Industries

In the 1700s, the old castle was turned into a tobacco factory. This new factory helped the town grow again and brought more people back. Later, in 1841, a railway line was built to Hodonín. This made it easier for people and goods to travel. The railway was even extended to Holíč in Slovakia in 1891.

Recent Events

In 2021, a strong tornado hit the South Moravia region. Parts of Hodonín, especially the Pánov area, were affected. The Hodonín Zoo and a retirement home also saw damage from the storm.

People of Hodonín

Hodonín has seen its population change over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived in the town:

Historical population
Year Pop. ±%
1869 5,202 —    
1880 6,512 +25.2%
1890 8,482 +30.3%
1900 10,233 +20.6%
1910 12,197 +19.2%
Year Pop. ±%
1921 13,200 +8.2%
1930 14,793 +12.1%
1950 13,572 −8.3%
1961 18,021 +32.8%
1970 20,863 +15.8%
Year Pop. ±%
1980 25,485 +22.2%
1991 28,230 +10.8%
2001 27,361 −3.1%
2011 24,961 −8.8%
2021 24,100 −3.4%
Source: Censuses

What Hodonín Makes and Does

Hodonín has a few important industries. Near the town, there are places where oil and natural gas are found. There's also a type of coal called lignite.

Local Businesses

One of the biggest companies in Hodonín is MND. They work with oil and gas. Another important company is Delimax, which makes delicatessen and fish products.

Baťa Canal

A long time ago, lignite from Hodonín was moved to another town using the Baťa Canal. This canal was built by a famous Czech businessman named Tomáš Baťa. Today, the canal is no longer used for transporting coal, but it's a popular place for tourists to visit and enjoy boat rides.

Getting Around Hodonín

Hodonín is an important place for travel. A main road, the I/55, goes through the town. This road connects Břeclav to Uherské Hradiště.

Cross-Border Travel

Because Hodonín is on the border with Slovakia, it has special crossings. There's a road crossing and a railway crossing that lead to the nearby Slovak town of Holíč.

Railway Connections

Hodonín is also connected by train to other cities. You can take a train from Hodonín to Břeclav and Olomouc. There's also a train line that goes from Brno to Hodonín. Another railway line connects Hodonín to Vrbovce in Slovakia.

Places to See in Hodonín

Hodonín has several interesting places to visit.

Hodonín-13.08.2010 - (4)
The beautiful Church of Saint Lawrence in Hodonín.

Church and Town Hall

The main sights are the Church of Saint Lawrence and the town hall. Both are located in the town square. The church is very old, first built in the 1200s in a Gothic style. It was later rebuilt in the 1700s. The town hall is newer, built in a special style called Art Nouveau between 1902 and 1904. You can even go up its tower for a great view of the town!

Hodonín Zoo

The Hodonín Zoo opened in 1977. It's one of the smaller and newer zoos in the Czech Republic, but it's a fun place to see animals.

Famous People from Hodonín

Many notable people have come from Hodonín:

  • Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1850–1937) – He was a very important politician and became the first president of Czechoslovakia.
  • Henry Kučera (1925–2010) – A linguist who was a pioneer in using computers to study language.
  • Václav Nedomanský (born 1944) – A famous ice hockey player.
  • Zdeněk Škromach (born 1956) – A well-known politician.
  • Karel Komárek (born 1969) – A successful businessman and someone who gives a lot to charity.
  • Dana Čechová (born 1983) – A talented table tennis player.
  • Vítězslav Veselý (born 1983) – A javelin thrower who has competed in sports.
  • Michal Kempný (born 1990) – Another skilled ice hockey player.

Hodonín's Sister Cities

Hodonín has special friendships with other towns around the world. These are called twin towns or sister cities. They work together on cultural and educational projects.

  • Slovakia Holíč, Slovakia
  • Poland Jasło, Poland
  • Slovakia Skalica, Slovakia
  • Slovakia Trebišov, Slovakia
  • Austria Zistersdorf, Austria

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hódonin para niños

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