OPAVAOPAVAThe White Pearl of Silesia The White Pearl of Silesia

LOCATIONLOCATION

The city of Opava is situated The city of Opava is situated in the Moravian-Silesian in the Moravian-Silesian Region. This region is Region. This region is

located in the north-east of located in the north-east of the Czech Republic.the Czech Republic.

About the City of OpavaAbout the City of Opava

Population – 64 000 Population – 64 000 Area - 90 kmArea - 90 km22 rich in history and historic landmarksrich in history and historic landmarks an important cultural centre for the an important cultural centre for the

regionregion an industrial and business centre an industrial and business centre the establishment of the town is the establishment of the town is

recorded in a document from 1224recorded in a document from 1224

Essential Municipal SymbolsEssential Municipal Symbols

Name of the CityName of the City

The name probably follows from the The name probably follows from the Teutonic APA and the Celtic AHWA or Teutonic APA and the Celtic AHWA or AHAWA, whereas both of them mean AHAWA, whereas both of them mean water or plenty of water. Czech water or plenty of water. Czech originated in the connection of these two originated in the connection of these two names. The Latin name is Opavia and the names. The Latin name is Opavia and the German Troppau.German Troppau.

The city of Opava is situated at the The city of Opava is situated at the confluence of the Silesian rivers Opava confluence of the Silesian rivers Opava and Moravice.and Moravice.

TheThe legend about the legend about the origination of the name of origination of the name of OpavaOpava Many centuries ago two powerful lords met in this location. They met Many centuries ago two powerful lords met in this location. They met while hunting and because they liked this piece of land, they built their while hunting and because they liked this piece of land, they built their tents here. One day, they walked out of their tents and saw a tents here. One day, they walked out of their tents and saw a procession of merchants. They were arriving from far eastern countries procession of merchants. They were arriving from far eastern countries and they began to offer the noble lords their goods. They also showed and they began to offer the noble lords their goods. They also showed them a charmingly beautiful bird which the lords had never seen before them a charmingly beautiful bird which the lords had never seen before in their lives. And so it was that both lords wanted to own the bird. The in their lives. And so it was that both lords wanted to own the bird. The merchants did not know who to sell the bird to and a row broke out. The merchants did not know who to sell the bird to and a row broke out. The merchants from the east decided that one of the lords might take the merchants from the east decided that one of the lords might take the peacock and that in a year´s time they would come back and bring the peacock and that in a year´s time they would come back and bring the bird to the other lord. One lord however shouted that he was the one bird to the other lord. One lord however shouted that he was the one who was to take it now, as his wife had a birthday and he wanted to who was to take it now, as his wife had a birthday and he wanted to give it to her, but the other lord did not agree. The evening was give it to her, but the other lord did not agree. The evening was approaching when the lord who was perhaps wiser told the other to approaching when the lord who was perhaps wiser told the other to keep the peacock and that he would wait. He thought over the whole keep the peacock and that he would wait. He thought over the whole matter in his tent and after some time he went to the other lord to matter in his tent and after some time he went to the other lord to make peace with him. They were drinking honey wine together and make peace with him. They were drinking honey wine together and talking, when the lord who had not gain the peacock got the idea to talking, when the lord who had not gain the peacock got the idea to built a town on this memorable place. But another problem arose – what built a town on this memorable place. But another problem arose – what to call the town?The lord who had bought the peacock cried out:“Let´s to call the town?The lord who had bought the peacock cried out:“Let´s name the town after the beautiful bird!“ The first one liked the name name the town after the beautiful bird!“ The first one liked the name too, but he thought it was too short. The other lord said that as they too, but he thought it was too short. The other lord said that as they argued about the peacock (in Czech „o páva“) the town should bear the argued about the peacock (in Czech „o páva“) the town should bear the name O-P-A-V-A. They also named the river where they had their tents name O-P-A-V-A. They also named the river where they had their tents Opava.Opava.

Places of interestPlaces of interest

The city of Opava boasts of The city of Opava boasts of many historical buildings.many historical buildings.

There are some examples:There are some examples:

City Watchtower – Hláska

The seat of Opava City Council

Silesian Theatre The foundation stone was laid on 1 May 1804.

It has two ensembles: drama and opera.

Municipal House

The Silesian Provincial Museum

It is the oldest museum in the Czech lands (1814).

The Lower Square

The oldest heart of the city. It is surrounded on three sides by old

aristocratic and city houses.

The Petr Bezruč Municipal House of Culture

It contains a library and Chamber of Commerce.

Breda Department Store

It was constructed in 1927-28.

Swedish Chapel (Chapel of the Holy Cross)

The Musical Pavilion on Birds Hill

Bird Hill is the remains of the cities fortifications.

Concathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

It is the most important Gothic monument of Opava. It was built in the 14th century.

The Church of St. AdalbertThis baroque structure was built in 17th

century by the Jesuits.

SportsSports

Opava hosts sports competitions at Opava hosts sports competitions at top league – football, basketball, top league – football, basketball, volleyball and hockey tournaments.volleyball and hockey tournaments.

Opava gained an international Opava gained an international reputation for organizing the reputation for organizing the GRAND PRIX Bodybuilding contest.GRAND PRIX Bodybuilding contest.

Opava has many splendid sports Opava has many splendid sports centres.centres.

The Multi-purpose Sports Hall

The Tyrš Stadium for athletics

The Municipal Swimming Pool

The Winter Stadium

Football Stadium

Culture and EducationCulture and Education

Silesian Theatre – drama and operaSilesian Theatre – drama and opera The Puppet Theatre The Puppet Theatre The House of ArtsThe House of Arts The September Festival called The September Festival called

Bezruč´s OpavaBezruč´s Opava The Further Horizon The Further Horizon The International Organ CompetitionThe International Organ Competition The Silesian University (since 1991)The Silesian University (since 1991)

Silesian Theatre

The House of ArtsThe House of Arts

The Silesian UniversityThe Silesian University

Industry and businessIndustry and business

the production of pharmaceutics, paints, the production of pharmaceutics, paints, varnishesvarnishes

paper and a polygraphic industrypaper and a polygraphic industry Engineering works: mining equipment, Engineering works: mining equipment,

hydraulic machinery, agricultural hydraulic machinery, agricultural machinery, metal components for the machinery, metal components for the building industry…building industry…

The food processing industry: biscuits, The food processing industry: biscuits, pastries, sweets, sugar, frozen foods…pastries, sweets, sugar, frozen foods…

OpaviaOpavia

Teva OpavaTeva Opava

Balakom OpavaBalakom Opava

Slezská tvorbaSlezská tvorbaProduction of Christmas flasksProduction of Christmas flasks

Ostroj OpavaOstroj Opava