Brno boasts many famous architectural jewels as well as ‘diamonds in the rough’. Explore the gems that have graced this city over the last 100 years.
First, stop off at two Art Nouveau villas that are among the top works of their kind in the world. After Jurkovičova vila (the Jurkovič House) and the Löw-Beer Villa, take a look at several already legendary functionalist buildings: the Tugendhat Villa, the Stiassni Villa, the Avion Hotel, and the restored Zemanova kavárna (Zeman Café). Keep an eye out for the sacred buildings of Brno, among which Husův sbor (the Czechoslovak Hussite Church building) in Botanická Street and the Agudas Achim synagogue in Křenová Street stand out. The International Hotel was built in the post-functionalist style, boasting what is called a ‘Brussels-style’ interior. The building of Univerzita obrany (the University of Defence) is also worth checking out, as is the remarkable Moravská zemská knihovna (Moravian Library) right next to it. And tucked away near the city centre, you can find a passive house called Otevřená zahrada (the Open Gardens).
Parts of tour
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Tugendhat Villa
The famous Brno villa is in the Černá pole neighbourhood
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Löw-Beer Villa
This villa tells the story of early 20th century society
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Stiassni Villa
A magnificent functionalist villa with a three-hectare garden
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Jurkovič House (Jurkovičova vila)
An Art Nouveau villa, exceptional even on a global scale
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Avion Hotel
This very narrow hotel is located in the heart of Brno
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Zeman Café (Zemanova kavárna)
A turning point in the development of architecture in Brno
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Open Gardens (Otevřená zahrada)
An educational garden and ecological construction trends
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Moravian Library (Moravská zemská knihovna) – Architecture
A library with an outstanding interior and an excellent view
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International Hotel
The hotel interior was designed in the ‘Brussels style’
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Centrum Department Store (Obchodní dům Centrum)
The skyscraper that would never reach the clouds
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Alfa pasáž (Alfa Passage)
A functionalist passage with the atmosphere of the First Republic.
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Café Era
Outstanding functionalist café in Brno’s Černá Pole
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Savoy Café (Kavárna Savoy)
A still-prominent location in the café history of Brno
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Moravian Bank / now Komerční Bank, (Moravská banka / Komerční banka)
A functionalist building located on náměstí Svobody
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Military Academy / University of Defence (Vojenská akademie / Univerzita obrany)
This building is nicknamed rohlik (‘the curved roll’)
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Hussite Church Building (Husův sbor)
Churches represent a specific category of functionalism in Brno
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Mendel’s Greenhouse
This outstanding location, which links history together with the present and future.
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Agudas Achim Synagogue
Brno’s only preserved synagogue and in a functionalist style
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Church of Blessed Mary Restituta
Brno’s newest church was built thanks to the financial donations of the faithful in the Lesná housing estate in Brno.
Tell your friends about the Brno sampler of 20th- and 21st-century architecture!
Another tours
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SCULPTURES IN BRNO
The streets of Brno are full of various objects that may leave you scratching your head. Some cause controversy while others get passed by without much notice.
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THE HOUSING ESTATE NEW HOUSE
Project of model housing estates, realized as part of the Exhibition of Contemporary Culture commemorating the tenth anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia
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BRNO’S EXHIBITION GROUNDS
The Brno exhibition grounds were once among the most significant functionalist sites in the world. Today, the exhibition space spans almost 190,000 m².
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TOP DESTINATIONS
Brno is full of valuable historical buildings and interesting places. For a true feel of just how amazing this city is, here’s a list of its must-see locations.
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LONG TOUR
If you have enough time and energy, get to know Brno even better on the long tour and explore some of the many interesting and significant places in the city centre.
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