Opava was established in the l2th century as a merchant's settlement at a ford across the Opavice River. A business route connecting Moravia and Poland which was significant at that time, went through Opava. The first written reference to Opava dates back to 1195. Opava gained the freedoms of a city around 1215 and they were further strengthened by the privilege of the Czech King Přemysl Otakar I in 1224. Opava had already become the centre of the Northern Province of the Margraviate of Moravia. In the second half of the l3th century, it became a centre of the Opava Dukedom, which originally was given to the custody of the Bohemian ruling dynasty-the Premyslides. The Opava Dukedom gradually separated from Moravia and, after the l4th century, it leaned to wards Silesia. The town's population and economy developed during the Middle Ages, although it suffered substantial damage during the Mongolian invasion in 1241. The following three ethnic groups-the Czechs, the Jews and the Germansparticipated primarily in the development of the town's community. The Germans were prominent in Opava's population for several hundred years. Přemek, the Duke of Opava, had a prince's castle built in the town around the year 1400, which, at the next stage, lost its defence features. It was turned into an unfortified castle, although architecturally insignificant. The castle slowly deteriorated and finally was torn down in 1891. The rise of the town was interrupted neither by the Hussite Wars nor by the Czech Hungarian conflict in the 1570's, which devastated a number of SouthSilesian castles. The year 1742 was immensely important for the development of Opava because it was separated from Silesia. The vast majority of Silesian territories became a part of the rising Prussian Monarchy. Small fractions fell to the Czech (Austrian) Silesian rulers. Opava gained recognition as the capital of Czech Silesia and became the seat of the country's authorities and established autonomous authorities. Czech Silesia oscillated between being an independent country (1742 -1782, 1849-1860, 1861-1928) and united as administrative and territorial unit with Moravia (1782-1849, 1860-1861, 1928-1948). But even in times of Moravian Silesia, the country's institutions maintained some administrative integrity. Although Opava was significantly damaged in the war during the spring of 1945, the visitors have the opportunity to see many architectura~ sights. 'The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary in the middle of Opava from the third quarter of the l4th century, built in the so called Silesian Gothic style, will catch your attention. Also, the Swedish chapel in Opava- Kateřinky dates from the same period. Other interesting medieval sacral buildings in Opava, are: the former Dominican church of St Wenceslas, the Minorite Church of the Holy Spirit and also the parochial church in OpavaJaktař. The fa~ades of the Renaissance burgher houses found mainly in the Dolní Náměstí (Lower Square) are also worth seeing. From the baroque buildings, you can see the St Adalbert's Church in the Dolní Náměstí and the city's exteriors along the Masaryk Avenue. The exhibition building of the Silesian Museum, where expositions of the oldest museum in the Czech Republic (since 1814) can be seen, should also be mentioned. Other interesting possibilities are the exposition halls of the country museum in Ostrožná Street and the gallery of the Home of Art in the halls of a former Dominican Monastery. It is also possible to visit castles in Rauna, Hradec nad Moravicí and the botanical garden in Nové Dvory. Opava has always been home or host to outstanding celebrities and here are some of them: The author and historian Bohuslav Balbín (1621-1688) taught at the Jesuit Grammar School. The grammar school student's list includes the names of Johann Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), biologist and founder of genetics; and Hans Kudlich (1823-1917), politician and representative of German liberalism in the region. One of the grammar school professors was Faustin Ens (1782-1858), historian and co-found er of the School Museum. The Czech grammar school was led by Vincenc Prasek (1843-1912), historian, topographer and linguist. The early-20thcentury Opava was called home by Karl Chinzel (1886-1951) who invented the colour photograph. Born in Opava were Josef Maria Olbrich (1867-1908), architect and outstanding representative of the Viennese Art-Nouveau; Czech poet Petr Bezruč (1867-1958), author of the Silesian songs; Václav Kálik (1891-1951) composer, conductor and piano player; author A. C. Nor, whose proper name was Josef Kaván (1903-1986); Joy Adams (1920-1980), author of several books on nature and of the lion stories. Opava lives a rich cultural life. Concerts are held in several concert halls and churches; exhibitions find shelter in the Silesian Country Museum or in the House of the Arts; there are numerous child ren's and adult ensembles representing the city all across the nation and on the international scene. Some of the renowned ensembles are the Křížkovský Choir and the children choirs Červený květ and Jeřabinka, plus some other folklore and dancing bodies. Opava is often stage of overregional cultural events. Eg Bezruč's Opava is a full-scale culture festival with ensemble performances, talk evenings with authors, exhibitions, theatre performances, concerts and the scientific conference on literature, all of which have a long tradition. The Young Organ Player Competition has been staged in Opava's churches each November. 1997 was the 120th anniversary of the cultural foundation Matice Slezská and a millennial anniversary of the death of St Adalbert.

Upper Square - the watch tower and town hall of Opava

The exhibition house of the Silesian Regional Museum in Opava

Dvořák's Park with Petr Bezruč's Memorial

St Adalbert's Church in the Lower Square

Holy Rood Chapel, also called the Swedish Chapel

Interior of the St Adalbert's Church

Savings bank and tower of the Virgin Mary Assumption Church

Upper Square, a view of the theatre and the church