The Zlín Region, correspondingly with the other 13 regions of the Czech Republic, was established in 2000, with Zlín city as its cultural and economic center and capital city. The region is located in the eastern part of Czechia, creating a border with the Slovak Republic. The Zlín territory also borders the South Moravian Region in the southwest, the Olomouc Region in the northwest, and the Moravian-Silesian Region in the north. It is the fourth-smallest region of the Czech Republic, with an area of 3,963 kilometers squared. The biggest river in the region is Morava, forming a flat and fertile basin. The rest of the region's territory has a primarily mountainous character, with the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains forming the northern part of the territory. The White Carpathians represent the eastern part of the region, creating the state border with Slovakia. The Chřiby mountains form the southwestern area of the region. The Zlín Region is inhabited by 583,698 people, adding up to the population density of 147 inhabitants per square kilometer.[3]
The Zlín Region is presumably one of the most prominent regions of the Czech Republic due to its natural diversity and many historical and cultural monuments. Historical and cultural sights in the area include the Kroměříž Flower Garden, also known as Libosad. The garden is notably one of the most significant garden works in the world. Today, it is one of the only representatives of such a complex in Europe. The garden was established in the second half of the 17th century by the Bishop of Olomouc, Charles of Lichtenstein-Castelkorn. Currently, the garden hosts various flower exhibitions. [4] This garden is part of the Kroměříž Archbishop's Chateau, which is one of the most significant Baroque buildings in eastern Czechia. The complex provides Archbishop's palace tours and museum exhibitions. The Flower Garden, together with the Podzámecká Garden and the chateau in Kroměříž, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1998.[5]
Another historical sight in the Zlín Region is the Nový Světlov chateau. The edifice was built in 1480 in the English Tudor Gothic style, which is generally unique for this territory. In current times, part of the chateau is used as a hotel with a restaurant. The Nový Světlov is the place of numerous cultural events such as concerts, theatre plays, and exhibitions.[6]
Concerning archeological attractions, the Archeoskanzen in Modrá is a fortified settlement from the time of Great Moravia (ninth century), which was rebuilt based on the original archeological finds. The open-air exhibition consists of city walls, dwellings, workshops, farm buildings, and palaces of princes and bishops. [7] Another open-air museum is located in the Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and is the largest museum of its kind in the Czech Republic. The museum consists of three separate areas with different exhibitions and tours. The presentations are based on the real stories of individuals or whole families living and working in Wallachia in the past.[8]
In the White Carpathians territory is located spa Luhačovice, the largest Moravian spa with healing springs. The Luhačovice springs belong among the top medical spas in Europe. Natural mineral waters are used for various procedures, such as carbonic baths, inhalation procedures, and drinking cures. [9]
Concerning the Zlín Region business, the world-renowned shoe company, Baťa corporation, originated in the city of Zlín. Baťa was founded in 1894 by Tomáš Baťa and his siblings Antonín and Anna, whose family had a cobbler tradition that had lasted for generations prior. Baťa soon became one of the first mass-producing shoe companies in Europe. By 1912, the company had been exporting to Germany and Balcan and was employing over 600 people. The Baťa company was the first big enterprise to use aircraft for company purposes and transport. The Baťa factories were built worldwide, specifically in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Tomáš Baťa's policy was to set up villages for the workers around these factories to supply schools and welfare. Due to this, a number of new cities originated from these factory villages. After World War II, the Baťa company expanded to Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and Latin America. The business headquarters for the Europe region is currently located in the city of Zlín.[10]
The Zlín Region territory has a fragmented character. The Zlín area is relatively mountainous, with the exception of the Morava river basin, which provides a flat fertile area. The region's highest peak is located in the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy Mountains; the mountain is called the Devil's Mill and is situated at an altitude of 1,206 m above sea level. The eastern part of the territory and the state border with Slovakia is formed by the White Carpathians and Javorníky mountains. The Moravian-Silesian Beskydy and Chřiby mountains represent the southern and southwestern parts of the region.[3]
The territory of the Zlín Region is filled with numerous protected landscape areas. Thirty percent of the whole Zlín area is represented by the Beskydy Mountains and the White Carpathians, the two largest protected landscape areas in the Zlín Region. The White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area is inscribed in the UNESCO biosphere reserves list, as numerous endangered animal and plant species were discovered to inhabit the area. The White Carpathians is currently regarded as a protected Euroregion, as it spreads over the territory of Slovakia as well. International cooperation is required to preserve this highly conserved natural area.[3]
The region is known mainly for its deposits of building materials. The most utilized resource is gravel deposits. The supplies of building stone, limestone, brick clay, and oil and natural gas, to a limited extent, are also found in relative abundance.[2]
The region is located in the continental climate area, where the alteration of the four seasons throughout the year is typical, corresponding with the rest of the Czech Republic. The average air temperature is 9.8 ° C, and the total precipitation is 635.4 mm. On average, the warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 25.7°C. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 1.0°C. June is the wettest month with 72.0 mm of precipitation, whereas February is the driest month with 24.0 mm of rainfall.[1]
The first written mentions of the city of Zlín can be dated back to 1322, when the city was donated to the Brno monastery. Later, during the Thirty Years' War, the inhabitants of Zlín took part in the Wallachian anti-Habsburg uprising. In 1622, the Zlín chateau was burned down, and the surrounding buildings and farms were looted. Since then, many different owners have owned the castle. The last private owner of the Zlín chateau was the Brno factory owner, Leopold Haupt, from whom the city of Zlín bought the chateau it in 1929. [11]
The most significant development of the city occurred after the establishment of the Baťa company in 1894. Tomáš Baťa, who also became mayor of Zlín, built a prospering shoe factory that quickly developed, which helped the development of the Zlín city itself. After the wars, in the 1990s, private businesses developed in the town; however, the city that used to be a metropolis of the shoe industry is currently inhabited by only a few shoe companies.[11]
Click a state below to find a Bed and Breakfast near you.
