Znojmo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Znojmo
Town
View from the south
Flag Coat of arms
Znojmo Location in Czech Republic
Country	Czech Republic
Region	South Moravia
District	Znojmo
First mentioned	1226
Area
• Total	65.90 km2 (25.44 sq mi)
Elevation	290 m (950 ft)
Population  (2024-01-01)
• Total	34,160
• Density	518.36/km2 (1,342.55/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	669 02

Znojmo is a cool town in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. About 34,000 people live here. Znojmo is a very important historical and cultural place in southwestern Moravia. It is the second biggest town in the South Moravian Region. The old part of Znojmo is really well kept. It is even protected by law as a special urban monument reservation.

Where is Znojmo Located?

Znojmo is about 54 kilometers (33 miles) southwest of Brno. It is also very close to the border with Austria. Most of the town is in the Jevišovice Uplands. A small part in the south is in the Dyje–Svratka Valley. The highest point in Znojmo is 397 meters (1,302 feet) above sea level. The town sits mostly on a rocky hill. This hill is on the steep left bank of the Thaya River. Part of the town's area is inside the beautiful Podyjí National Park.

A Look at Znojmo's Past

Znojmo has a long and interesting history. People might have lived here as early as the 9th century. This was during the time of the Great Moravian Empire. However, the main settlement was on a different hill nearby. Around 1055, Znojmo Castle became a home for the Přemyslid princes. It was a very important place near the border with Austria. In 1101, Duke Luitpold of Znojmo built the Rotunda of Saint Catherine at the castle.

The Znojmo Castle was later taken over and torn down in 1145. But it was rebuilt! In 1190, Duke Conrad II started the Premonstratensian Louka Monastery in Znojmo.

The first time Znojmo was written about was in 1226. King Ottokar I of Bohemia officially founded Znojmo as a royal town. He built strong walls around it. It was one of the very first royal towns in Moravia. Back then, many people in the town spoke German. But people in the villages around it spoke Czech.

The town was lucky during the Hussite Wars. The Hussites tried but could not capture Znojmo. So, the town grew and became rich. In the 1400s and 1500s, people built many houses with secret underground tunnels. These tunnels were part of the town's defenses. Many of these old houses are still standing today. But then came the Thirty Years' War. Znojmo was attacked and robbed many times. It took over 100 years for the town to get back on its feet.

In 1809, something big happened here. After a major battle, a peace agreement was signed in Znojmo. This agreement was between Emperor Napoleon and Archduke Charles.

After World War I, Znojmo became part of the new country of Czechoslovakia. From 1938 to 1945, during World War II, it was controlled by Nazi Germany. After the war, the German people living in Znojmo had to leave.

How Many People Live in Znojmo?

Znojmo's population has changed a lot over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived here:

What Znojmo is Known For

Znojmo is very famous for its cucumbers! These cucumbers are pickled in a special sweet-sour and spicy way. Growing cucumbers in this area started in 1571. A monk named George II from the Louka Monastery brought the idea here. The special taste comes from the local type of cucumbers. It also depends on how they are grown, the soil, the weather, and how they are prepared. Even the jars they are kept in make a difference!

Because of the good weather, Znojmo is also great for making wine and growing fruit. It is a main center for making wine in the Znojemská wine sub-region.

Getting Around Znojmo

A major road, the I/38, goes through Znojmo. This road is part of the European route E59. It connects Jihlava to the Czech-Austrian border. In the center of Znojmo, this road splits. One part, the I/53, connects the town to Brno.

Znojmo also has a train station. Trains go in three directions from here. You can travel to Vienna in Austria, to Břeclav, and to Okříšky.

Fun Things to Do in Znojmo

Znojmo is well known for its Znojmo Vintage Festival. This festival happens every September. The best part of the festival is a historical parade. It celebrates the visit of King John of Bohemia to Znojmo in 1327.

There is also an annual Gherkin Feast. This festival celebrates the tradition of growing gherkins (small cucumbers) in the area.

Sports in Znojmo

Znojmo has a football (soccer) team called 1. SC Znojmo FK. They play in the Moravian–Silesian Football League. This is the third level of football in the Czech Republic.

There is also an ice hockey team called Orli Znojmo. They play in the 2nd Czech Republic Hockey League.

Places to See in Znojmo

Znojmo has many amazing old buildings and places to visit.

The Gothic Church of St. Nicholas is a must-see. So is the tall Town Hall tower. These are the most famous landmarks. The first church was built around 1100. The new one was built from 1338 until the late 1400s. The town hall tower is 80 meters (262 feet) high. It was built between 1445 and 1448.

Church of Saint Nicholas

Overlooking the Thaya River valley is the Znojmo Castle. It was built by the Přemyslid dukes in the 11th century. The only part left of the original castle is the Romanesque Rotunda of Saint Catherine. Inside, you can see old 11th-century frescoes (wall paintings). They show stories from the Bible and the life of Přemysl the Ploughman. This rotunda is a very important national cultural monument.

Rotunda of Saint Catherine

Znojmo Castle

Underneath the old town, there is a huge maze of tunnels and cellars. They are called the Znojmo Catacombs. These were built in the 1300s and 1400s for defense. They have wells, drains, fireplaces, secret trap doors, and escape routes. These routes lead outside the town walls! The catacombs are the biggest system of underground tunnels in the Czech Republic. They are almost 27 kilometers (17 miles) long and up to 4 levels deep.

The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel was probably built in the 12th century. It is the second most important church in Znojmo. It was first mentioned in 1226. It was completely rebuilt in a late Gothic style in 1508. This church is also considered a very important national monument.

The Premonstratensian Louka Monastery is one of the most valuable buildings in Znojmo. The monastery was started in 1190. But the buildings you see today were built in two stages. This happened between 1748–1756 and 1761–1778. It is a very important building for its architecture. It is also protected as a national cultural monument. The monastery has the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Saint Wenceslaus. This church was originally a Romanesque church. It was later rebuilt in the Baroque style in the late 1600s.

Louka Monastery

Famous People from Znojmo

Many interesting people have connections to Znojmo:

Znojmo's Sister Cities

Znojmo has special friendships with other towns around the world. These are called "sister cities":

Images for kids

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  Column commemorating the plague

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  The tall Znojmo Town Hall Tower

See also

In Spanish: Znojmo para niños