Znojmo

Znojmo
City
St Nicholas` Church
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	South Moravia
District	Znojmo
Little District	Znojmo
River	Dyje
Elevation	290 m (951 ft)
Coordinates	48°51′20″N 16°2′56″E
Highest point
- elevation	321 m (1,053 ft)
Lowest point
- elevation	210 m (689 ft)
Area	65.93 km2 (25.46 sq mi)
Population	35,177 (As of 2005)
Density	534 / km2 (1,383 / sq mi)
Founded	1222-1225
Mayor	Petr Nezveda (ODS)
Postal code	669 02
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Znojmo
Website: www.znojmocity.cz

Znojmo (Czech pronunciation: [ˈznojmo]; German: Znaim) is a city in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, near the border with Lower Austria, connected to Vienna by railway and road (80 minutes). The royal city of Znojmo was founded shortly before 1226 by King Ottokar I on the plains in front of Znojmo Castle. The city is situated on a rock outcropping on the steep left bank of the Dyje River.

Notable events and persons

Znojmo is best known for the armistice concluded there in 1809 after the Battle of Wagram between Napoleon and the archduke Charles. It is also the (alleged) birthplace of Leopold Loyka, the driver of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand's car when Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo 1914, an event which triggered the First World War.

Birthplace of the sculptor Hugo Lederer and writer Charles Sealsfield, it also has a special co-operation relation with Harderwijk, Netherlands.

Znojmo Town Hall Tower.

Main sights

The Gothic Church of St. Nicholas and the Late Gothic Town Hall tower are the most recognizable landmarks. St Nicolas` Church was built in 1348 by Emperor Charles IV, and the town hall, with its 75 m (250 ft) tower, dates from around 1446.

Overlooking the Dyje River valley, on the edge of the medieval city, there is Znojmo Castle, dating back to 11th century, founded by Přemyslid dukes. The only remains of the castle used by the Přemysl dukes is the Romanesque rotunda, the interior of which is covered with 11th-century frescoes depicting biblical scenes and illustrating the life of Přemysl.

Under the city and castle is a vast labrynth of connected passageways and cellars, Znojmo Catacombs, developed in the 14th and 15th century for defensive purposes and containing wells, drainage, fireplaces, trap doors and escapeways that led beyond the fortifications of the city.

Znojmo Catacombs.

Column commemorating the plague.

Notable residents

Václav Prokop Diviš (26 March 1698 – 25 December 1765) was a Czech priest, theologian and natural scientist, pioneer of electronic music and the constructor of the first electric musical instrument Denis d'or.

Franz Woidich (2 January 1921 – 5 July 2004) was a Luftwaffe flying ace and Knights Cross holder of World War II.

Květoslav Svoboda (born in Znojmo on 25 August 1982) - Czech swimmer, took part in many competitions including the Olympic Games 2000 and 2004.

Sources

• "The City of Znojmo". The City of Znojmo. http://www.znojmocity.cz/EN/poznejteznojmo.asp. Retrieved August 12, 2010.