Kyjov Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Kyjov

Town

Masarykovo Square

Flag	Coat of arms

Kyjov

Location in Czech Republic

Country

Czech Republic

Region

South Moravian

District

Hodonín

First mentioned

1126

Area

• Total

29.88 km² (11.54 sq mi)

Elevation

192 m (630 ft)

Population

(2024-01-01)

• Total

10,799

• Density

361.41/km² (936.05/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

697 01

Kyjov is a lovely town in the Czech Republic. It's located in the South Moravian Region, specifically in the Hodonín District. About 11,000 people live here. Kyjov has a beautiful old town center that is kept safe as a special historic area.

Geography of Kyjov
History of Kyjov
- Becoming a Royal Town
- Later Years and Growth
Population of Kyjov
Transportation in Kyjov
Culture and Traditions
Main Sights to See
Famous People from Kyjov
Kyjov's Sister Cities
See also

Geography of Kyjov

Kyjov is about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) north of Hodonín. Most of the town is in the Kyjov Hills. A smaller part to the north is in the Chřiby highlands.

The highest point near Kyjov is Lenivá hora hill. It stands 463 meters (1,519 feet) above sea level. The town itself is in the valley of the Kyjovka River.

History of Kyjov

Kyjov in 1727 in 1727

The first time Kyjov was mentioned in writing was in the year 1126. For many years, until 1539, it belonged to the Hradisko Monastery. In the 12th century, a Romanesque church and a new market area were built here.

In 1201, Kyjov was first called a "market town." This meant it was a place where people could trade goods. Later, in 1284, King Wenceslaus II allowed the town to build defenses. Kyjov didn't have enough money for stone walls, so they built wooden fences called palisades instead.

Becoming a Royal Town

During the 1300s and 1400s, the monastery had money problems. Because of this, Kyjov was given to different noble families for a while. In 1515, Kyjov officially became a town.

The monastery sold the town in 1539. After changing owners a few times, Kyjov became a "royal town" in 1548. This was a big deal! The king promised not to sell or give away the town again. This special status helped Kyjov grow and become more successful.

The town fixed its buildings and built three town gates. They also built a new town hall in the Renaissance style. Kyjov gained new land and became stronger.

Later Years and Growth

In 1710, the first Capuchin monks arrived in Kyjov. They built a new church. However, their monastery was closed down in 1784.

From 1784 to 1848, Kyjov was doing very well economically. The town grew and expanded. In the late 1800s, a small group of people in Kyjov spoke German, including some Jewish families. Until 1918, Kyjov was part of Austria-Hungary.

Population of Kyjov

As of 2024, Kyjov has about 10,799 people. The average age of people living in Kyjov is 46.4 years. This makes it one of the towns with an older population in the Czech Republic. It's the oldest among towns with more than 10,000 people.

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1869	5,185	—
1880	5,564	+7.3%
1890	6,079	+9.3%
1900	6,819	+12.2%
1910	7,397	+8.5%

Year	Pop.	±%
1921	7,265	−1.8%
1930	7,299	+0.5%
1950	7,644	+4.7%
1961	9,081	+18.8%
1970	10,792	+18.8%

Year	Pop.	±%
1980	12,632	+17.0%
1991	12,920	+2.3%
2001	12,413	−3.9%
2011	11,462	−7.7%
2021	11,002	−4.0%

Source: Censuses

Transportation in Kyjov

Kyjov train station

Kyjov is on a railway line that connects Brno to Uherské Hradiště. The town has three train stations and stops. These are called Kyjov, Kyjov zastávka, and Bohuslavice u Kyjova.

Culture and Traditions

Kyjov is a very important place for regional folklore. Folklore means the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community. The town is in a cultural area called Moravian Slovakia.

The Slovácký rok festival, which means "Moravian Slovakian Year," is the oldest folklore festival in Moravia. It has been held in Kyjov every four years since 1921. It's a big celebration of local traditions!

In 2008, Kyjov won a silver medal in the Entente Florale Europe competition. This is an international contest about how beautiful towns are with their plants and gardens.

Main Sights to See

Kyjov Town Hall

The historic center of Kyjov is around Masarykovo Square. In the middle of the square, there is a Marian column from the 1720s. This is a tall monument with a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Kyjov Town Hall

The most important building on the square is the Renaissance town hall. Italian architects built it in 1561–1562. It has special decorations called sgraffiti, which are designs scratched into plaster. The town hall also has a tall tower that is 39 meters (128 feet) high. Since 2024, it has been recognized as a national cultural monument.

Church of the Assumption

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is also on the town square. It was built between 1713 and 1720 and made bigger in 1734. Below the church, there is a Capuchin tomb. It holds 40 coffins.

Kyjov Chateau

The Chateau is the oldest building still standing in Kyjov. It was built in the early 1500s as a large house for a wealthy family. Over time, it was used for different things. In 1911, it was renovated and decorated with sgraffiti. Since 1928, the Chateau has been home to the Kyjov Ethnographic Museum. This museum shows off old items, cultural traditions, and natural science exhibits from the area.