Ostrava’s story began in the 13th century, on a key trade route between north and south Europe. From the start, it was a lively city of merchants and markets. Life wasn't easy: fires, wars, and deadly plagues hit the city hard. But Ostrava survived, each time rising stronger

In the 18th century, after Maria Theresa’s rise to power and the War of the Austrian Succession, Ostrava found itself a crucial border town between empires.
Then, in 1763, a discovery changed everything: coal. There were still great forests around, and wood was plentiful. People even believed that coal was cursed — that the devil lived inside it. Though first feared and ignored, coal eventually sparked an industrial boom.

In 1828, the founding of the Vítkovice steelworks turned Ostrava into the "steel heart" of the region.

By 1847, the railway connected Ostrava to Kraków and Vienna, and the city flourished. The city became a land of opportunity, almost like 'America for Europe.' A boom of beautiful architecture: taller buildings, finer streets, banks, hotels, cafés — everything you imagine in a grand European city. Sadly, much of this beauty was lost during the Second World War and the postwar period.

A new chapter began in 1992, when the last mines closed, and again in 1998 with the closure of the Vítkovice Steelworks. Since then, Ostrava has been reborn — greener, more colorful, and full of new energy.

Today, Ostrava is a city where history and modern life meet.
Every corner holds a story, and every visit offers something new to discover.