The White Pearl of Silesia OPAVA The White Pearl of Silesia

LOCATION The city of Opava is situated in the Moravian-Silesian Region. This region is located in the north-east of the Czech Republic.

About the City of Opava Population – 64 000 Area - 90 km2 rich in history and historic landmarks an important cultural centre for the region an industrial and business centre the establishment of the town is recorded in a document from 1224

Essential Municipal Symbols

Name of the City The name probably follows from the Teutonic APA and the Celtic AHWA or AHAWA, whereas both of them mean water or plenty of water. Czech originated in the connection of these two names. The Latin name is Opavia and the German Troppau. The city of Opava is situated at the confluence of the Silesian rivers Opava and Moravice.

The legend about the origination of the name of Opava Many centuries ago two powerful lords met in this location. They met while hunting and because they liked this piece of land, they built their tents here. One day, they walked out of their tents and saw a procession of merchants. They were arriving from far eastern countries and they began to offer the noble lords their goods. They also showed them a charmingly beautiful bird which the lords had never seen before in their lives. And so it was that both lords wanted to own the bird. The merchants did not know who to sell the bird to and a row broke out. The merchants from the east decided that one of the lords might take the peacock and that in a year´s time they would come back and bring the bird to the other lord. One lord however shouted that he was the one who was to take it now, as his wife had a birthday and he wanted to give it to her, but the other lord did not agree. The evening was approaching when the lord who was perhaps wiser told the other to keep the peacock and that he would wait. He thought over the whole matter in his tent and after some time he went to the other lord to make peace with him. They were drinking honey wine together and talking, when the lord who had not gain the peacock got the idea to built a town on this memorable place. But another problem arose – what to call the town?The lord who had bought the peacock cried out:“Let´s name the town after the beautiful bird!“ The first one liked the name too, but he thought it was too short. The other lord said that as they argued about the peacock (in Czech „o páva“) the town should bear the name O-P-A-V-A. They also named the river where they had their tents Opava.

Places of interest The city of Opava boasts of many historical buildings. There are some examples:

City Watchtower – Hláska The seat of Opava City Council

Silesian Theatre The foundation stone was laid on 1 May 1804. It has two ensembles: drama and opera.

Municipal House

The Silesian Provincial Museum It is the oldest museum in the Czech lands (1814).

The Lower Square The oldest heart of the city. It is surrounded on three sides by old aristocratic and city houses.

The Petr Bezruč Municipal House of Culture It contains a library and Chamber of Commerce.

Breda Department Store It was constructed in 1927-28.

Swedish Chapel (Chapel of the Holy Cross)

The Musical Pavilion on Birds Hill Bird Hill is the remains of the cities fortifications.

Concathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary It is the most important Gothic monument of Opava. It was built in the 14th century.

The Church of St. Adalbert This baroque structure was built in 17th century by the Jesuits.

Sports Opava hosts sports competitions at top league – football, basketball, volleyball and hockey tournaments. Opava gained an international reputation for organizing the GRAND PRIX Bodybuilding contest. Opava has many splendid sports centres.

The Multi-purpose Sports Hall

The Tyrš Stadium for athletics

The Municipal Swimming Pool

The Winter Stadium

Football Stadium

Culture and Education Silesian Theatre – drama and opera The Puppet Theatre The House of Arts The September Festival called Bezruč´s Opava The Further Horizon The International Organ Competition The Silesian University (since 1991)

Silesian Theatre

The House of Arts

The Silesian University

Industry and business the production of pharmaceutics, paints, varnishes paper and a polygraphic industry Engineering works: mining equipment, hydraulic machinery, agricultural machinery, metal components for the building industry… The food processing industry: biscuits, pastries, sweets, sugar, frozen foods…

Opavia

Teva Opava

Balakom Opava

Slezská tvorba Production of Christmas flasks

Ostroj Opava