Wisła is one of the more interesting resort towns in the Silesian Beskids region. Staying in Wisła can also be a great opportunity for a one-day trip across the Czech border, for example, to Ostrava – a charming city on the border of Cieszyn Silesia and Moravia.
Planning such a trip is worthwhile, especially since exploring Ostrava offers a lot of excitement and enjoyment. Additionally, the city is only about 80 km away from Wisła, and you can get there by car, bus, or train. What's worth seeing in Ostrava? How to spend your time interestingly? Let us guide you.
Ostrava – a city of industry, culture, and entertainment
Ostrava is located at the confluence of the Opava and Ostravice rivers into the Odra River. The city's history dates back to the 13th century. For centuries, Ostrava was an important industrial center, and in the 19th century, the Rudolf Ironworks (now Witkowice Ironworks) operated here, extracting iron ore and producing steel. There were also coal mines. These facilities are now open for tours. If you want to learn more about the history of mining and metallurgy, plan a few hours in Ostrava's Witkowice. If you prefer the atmosphere of lively entertainment, spend your evening on Stodolní Street. There are many music clubs, discos, and places for a romantic date. The city is also known for the Colours of Ostrava music festival, which is held annually in the industrial complex in Witkowice and on Stodolní Street. Equally popular is the International Music Festival Maj Janáčka, organized by the city and the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ostrava – World of Technology in the former steelworks buildings
Ostrava is an example of a city where former industrial buildings have been excellently repurposed for tourism, entertainment, and cultural purposes. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, hundreds of workers, including emigrants from Polish Galicia, worked at the Rudolf Ironworks. After mining ceased, the facility deteriorated. It wasn't until the beginning of this century that the Great World of Technology was organized in the buildings, serving as a specific museum of the iron and steel industry. In 2008, it was listed as European Cultural Heritage. The tour route includes halls, a coking plant, and steel furnaces, and the Bolt Tower has an observation terrace and a café. There are also multimedia exhibitions dedicated to children, known as the Small World of Technology. In addition, the complex features exhibition halls, a concert and conference hall, souvenir shops, and a 3D cinema.
The Most Interesting Tourist Attractions in Ostrava
What is worth seeing in Ostrava besides the World of Technology? Here are our suggestions:
- Silesian Castle with historical exhibitions, including a torture chamber. Unfortunately, only a few fragments of the walls have survived from ancient times because the building was rebuilt several times, including its collapse into a 16-meter-deep pit due to underground mining work. Tourists enjoy walks in the courtyard, the castle fortress, and the view from the castle tower.
- Landek Park Mining Museum - during a guided tour, you can ride a mining train, see mining machinery, and rescue equipment.
- Tomáš Masaryk Square - a beautiful square surrounded by Art Nouveau and modernist buildings and the Old Town Hall, home to the Orava Museum. An interesting building is the Dom Polski, built by Polish organizations for Polish immigrants working in Orava factories and mines.
- An observation terrace on the tower of the New Town Hall on Jan Prokeš Square. It offers a beautiful view of the city surrounded by the Beskids.
- Neorenaissance Cathedral of the Divine Savior.
Where to Take Children in Ostrava?
You can plan a family trip, especially since Ostrava has several places that children love. These include:
- Miniuni Miniature Park in the Moravian Ostrava district, with an exhibition of the most famous European buildings built to a scale of 1:25. Additional attractions include a train ride and water canals with steamboats.
- Toy Museum (Muzeum hraček) in the Laso shopping center.
- Ostrava Zoo, one of the largest and most interesting in Europe.
- Johann Palisa Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium.
Ostrava - Where to Take a Walk?
The center of leisure for residents and tourists is the aforementioned Masaryk Square. A walk through the picturesque streets of the surrounding area will allow you to experience the atmosphere of Czech culture and tradition. At the same time, you can try the taste of Czech dumplings and beer at one of the local restaurants. If you want to relax amidst greenery, we recommend a walking route along the Ostravice River. You will also find beautiful paths near Silesian Castle and in Komenského Sady Park. Landek Hill is also a popular area for walks for residents and tourists. It is known for its beautiful alleys of willows and lindens, promenades, sculptures, and a tower with a view of the city and the upper Oder River.
Ostrava is one of the more interesting cities in the Czech Republic. Here you can find historical, industrial, and religious monuments, as well as walking parks and many modern entertainment venues. Every district is different and has its own unique charm, from the post-industrial Witkowice, through the historic center, to the peaceful, green Zárubek. Thanks to this, a trip to Ostrava is attractive for every tourist, regardless of age and interests.