Regions

Olomouc Region

 

Uniqueness of the region: the historical centre of the city of Olomouc - the 2nd largest heritage reserve after Prague.

Significant historical event:

• A university was founded in Olomouc in 1573 as one of the oldest European universities and the 2nd oldest university in the Czech Republic after the Charles University.
• The Austrian emperor's court, which usually resided in Vienna, spent in Olomouc nearly one half of the tempestuous year 1848. Emperor Franz Joseph I. was enthroned in the archbishop's palace in Olomouc.
• General La Fayette was imprisoned in Olomouc in 1794-1797.
• The Beatific Zdislava of Lemberk and Jan Sarkander were canonised and the famous church on Sv. Kopeček (Holly Hill) was promoted to basilica minor during the visit of the Pope John Paul II. in Olomouc in 1995.
• The statue of the Holy Trinity at the Upper Square in Olomouc was included in 2000 in UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List.

Outstanding historical personality: Matthias Corvin - a Hungarian king, was declared Czech king in Olomouc in 1469.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his 6th F Major Symphony during his stay in Olomouc in 1767.
General La Fayette was imprisoned in Olomouc in 1794-1797.

Significant cultural monument: the historical centre of the city of Olomouc with the statue of the Holy Trinity, registered UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List.

Significant natural locality: the Protected Landscape Area of the mountains of Jeseníky with excellent winter sport conditions. A natural reserve with rich flora, suitable for hiking.
The Protected Landscape Area Litovelské Pomoraví - a large complex of floodplain forests in the basin of the river Morava with a number of rare plants and animals. A number of hiking and biking routes can be found in the area.
Javořičské Caves, spa resorts

Significant investment project: 2000 - construction of LG. Philips Display plant - the leading producer of colour TV screens (1200 employees, the total investment: 200 mil EUR; the plant won the prize of the Investor of the Year 2000 - the largest greenfield investment in the Czech Republic).

Outstanding contemporary personality: Ivan Theimer - born in Olomouc, lives alternatively in Paris and in Italy, a sculptor, painter and graphic artist, created the 7th Anon's Fountain in Olomouc.
Jindřich Štreit - a world-famous photographer.

Typical product: a special kind of ripened white cheese "hanácké or olomoucké tvarůžky" - a gastronomic delicacy from the region of Haná around Olomouc

Typical food: the white cheese "tvarůžky" (hanácké or olomoucké), traditional small-size wedding cakes, yeast pancakes "hanácké vdolky", homemade bread, roast pork "moravský vrabec", with cabbage and dumplings

Folklore: traditional ceramic, traditional dialect from the Haná region, Haná region dances, songs, music, richly decorated folk costumes of the Haná region, a number of folk bands, folk music festivals and parades, a typical embroidery style with embroidered apple patterns, a traditional blacksmith fair "Hefaiston" held at Helfštýn Castle

Tourist destination:

• The historical centre of the City of Olomouc - the 2nd largest heritage reserve after Prague.
• A special rope climbing centre in Olomouc with the area of 3,500 sq. m - one of the largest in central Europe
• The paper manufacture in Velké Losiny - one of the oldest paper manufactures in Europe, which is still in operation. Founded in 1596.
• Bouzov Castle - a fairy tale castle, which is among the most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic
• Freestyle ski area named after Aleš Valenta, the freestyle skiing champion of the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City - Štíty in the Šumper district - the largest summer ski jump area in Europe.
• Olomouc hosts every year Flora Olomouc, one of the major European expositions of flowers and plants.
• The largest collection of pipes in Europe at the Castle Jánský vrch in Javorník.
• The racetrack "Ecce Homo" near Šternberk, a part of the European uphill race championship.
• The zoo on Sv. Kopeček with more than 250 animal species and its own sightseeing tower.
• Summer tourist routes on Jeseníky mountains ridges.
• Go-carts - a unique racetrack in Europe, 855 metres long, situated in Ramzová.

Cooperation with Japan:
 
Business:

• The region hosts branches of several Japanese firms - Onamba Czech Republic, s. r. o., Olomouc, a manufacturer of electrical installation components - cables and coils, 180 employees, and Toray Textiles Central Europe, s. r. o., Prostějov - production and sale of polyester fabrics, 320 employees.

Cultural:

• A Japanese folk band from Tokyo performed in Olomouc in October 2002 (koto players, a kimono fashion show, paper folding and a display of the tea ceremony).
• The Czech Republic offers to Japanese students scholarships at the Summer School of Slavic Studies, organized by the Palacký University in Olomouc; another number of Japanese students who participate in the study programme pay their tutorial fees.

Contact:
Regional Office of the Region of Olomouc
Krajský úřad Olomouckého kraje
Jeremenkova 40a
779 11 Olomouc
Phone: + 420 585 508 111 (exchange)
Fax: + 420 585 508 813
e-mail: posta@kr-olomoucky.cz
www: www.kr-olomoucky.cz