When international students come to study in the Czech Republic, Prague is usually the destination, as studying and living in the capital is certainly attractive. However, applicants often choose Brno as option B. It is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, located in the picturesque South Moravian region. If you believe the reviews of GoStudy graduates, it is ideal for adapting to Czech realities and studying in language courses and at university.
History of Brno
The history of Brno (German: Brunn) begins in the early Middle Ages, the first written mention dates back to 1091. However, a permanent settlement of people existed here long before this date; the direct predecessor of the city was the Slavic settlement of Stare Zamki. The first evidence of human presence on the territory of modern Brno dates back to prehistoric times; Slavic peoples appeared on this land only in the 5th–7th centuries AD.
Some important dates from the history of Brno are given in the table:
| date | Event |
| 9th century | The first mention of Brno is about the castle |
| 1243 | Obtaining the rights of a royal free city |
| 1526-1918 | Brno is in the possession of the Habsburgs and is the cultural and economic center of Moravia |
| 1805 | On December 2, the famous Battle of Austerlitz took place in the settlement of Slavkov near Brno. |
| 1858 | Until this moment, the most famous prison in the territory of Austria-Hungary existed in the Špilberk Fortress. |
| 1868-1884 | The abbot of the Starobrnensky Monastery was the famous biologist-geneticist Gregor Johann Mendel |
| 1890 | Asteroid (290) Bruna discovered, named after Brno |
| 1899 | The Technical University opened in Brno |
| 1918 | The city of Brno became part of Czechoslovakia |
oday Brno is the second most populous city in the Czech Republic, the largest in the Moravian region, and the former capital of Moravia. About 379 thousand people live here, and about 700 thousand live in the areas adjacent to the city.
The city is an important center of higher education: 29 faculties in ten universities and other higher schools, with a total of about 65 thousand students. Previously dominant engineering plants in the city include Zbrojovka, tractor manufacturer Zetor, První brněnská strojírna (PBS), bearing manufacturer ZKL and others. In the 19th century, thanks to the developed textile industry, Brno received the nickname “Austrian” or “Moravian Manchester”. In the 21st century, thanks to the intensive development of information technology, it began to be called the “Czech” or “Moravian Silicon Valley”.
Since 1928, the Brno Exhibition Center has traditionally hosted major international exhibitions and fairs, the most significant of which is the International Engineering Fair. The vast territory of the exhibition center is one of the cultural attractions of the city. Brno has also become a famous venue for major motor racing events, the tradition of which dates back to the 1930s. The most important races at the nearby Masaryk Circuit include the Czech Republic Grand Prix, part of the World Touring Championship series. Since 1998, Brno has hosted the widely attended international fireworks show Ignis Brunensis.
Attractions in Brno
The urban landscape of Brno is interspersed with many attractions that are loved by local residents and interesting to foreign guests.
Here are some of them:
- The architectural dominant of the city is the town of Špilberk . The ancient fortification attracts not only its majestic appearance; concerts, theatrical performances and festivals are often held here.
- The Moravian County Museum is the second largest and second oldest museum in the Czech Republic. It opened more than two hundred years ago. The exhibition is dedicated to the history of Slavic tribes and the medieval Czech Republic and contains minerals, ancient weapons, samples of local flora and fauna, musical instruments, unique archaeological finds and much more.
- The Church of St. Jacob (Jacob) on the square of the same name is a Gothic temple that was erected before the start of the Hussite wars. The square is always bustling with cafes and restaurants.
- Forest Park “Wilson’s Forest” is a green area with a sports area, where it is pleasant to play sports, walk or hide from the heat in the summer.
- Villa Tugendhat is an expressive example of the functionalist architectural style, the work of the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 2001 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Daily life in Brno
Brno is a calm and comfortable city to live in. There is no bustle of the capital, but there is everything you need for life: in Brno shops you can buy all the necessary products, clothes, sports equipment, electronics, household goods, medicines, etc. Prices in Brno are lower than in Prague, and renting housing here will also be much cheaper than in the capital, which is very beneficial for students. On the Czech real estate market, apartments in Brno are considered a smart investment.
In Brno, as in Prague, they live according to Central European time (the time in Brno coincides with the time in Paris). The climate is temperate continental, with mild winters and long warm summers. The weather in Brno is usually stable; sudden temperature changes are very rare.
Universities in Brno
Brno is home to private and public universities that accept foreign students. Admission conditions vary depending on the university and study program. As a rule, admission to private higher schools is based on an interview; instruction is possible in Czech or English. Admission to public universities is based on entrance exams in specialized subjects. If an applicant wants to study for free, then he must choose a program in Czech.
Brno: student reviews
Yulia K., student of the theater department of the Academy of Musical Arts. Janacek in Brno:
“I applied to several creative universities. Of course, I wanted to study in Prague, but going to university in Brno turned out to be easier. All foreign students want to live in the capital, but Brno is also good. There are a lot of Erasmus+ students here, so it’s easy to find a great company. The weather is good in Brno – it’s warmer here than in Prague (I know from the reviews of Prague friends). Restaurants and cafes can be found to suit every taste. This is important to me because I am a vegetarian. The center of Brno is very cozy, and the city itself does not seem big to me, since I am from St. Petersburg. I get everywhere I need to on foot. But sometimes I still go to Prague – to interesting master classes, exhibitions, performances, and just to meet with friends from Czech courses.”
Nikita S., student of the Faculty of Computer Science at Masaryk University:
“Initially, I wanted to study at the Czech Technical University in Prague, but just in case, I also applied for an “invitation” to Brno, and entered here. At first I was upset, but then I decided that it wasn’t so bad. In Brno I rent an apartment with two friends right in the center, it’s much cheaper than in Prague. But I didn’t want to live in a dormitory, although student housing in Brno is good.”
Sofia P., a graduate of the First Faculty of Medicine in Prague, studied and worked for some time in Brno:
“Brno is an ideal city for students. Here you have everything you need for life, but there is no endless “movement”, as in Prague, which – let’s be honest – interferes with learning. At the same time, Brno has excellent dormitories for students, and the local population is also very friendly towards foreign youth. It was in Brno that I first got a part-time job in a bar and started talking and significantly improved my Czech language, since all my colleagues were Czechs.”