Ostrava

Ostrava, the third largest city in the Czech Republic is situated close to the Polish border and is known around the country as one of the industrial capitals as there is an abundance of high quality black coal deposits. The “steel heart of the Republic”, a nickname bestowed upon the city during the Communist era is the administrative center of Moravian-Silesian Region and has also been selected as a candidate for the 2015 European Capital of Culture. Ostrava is a breath of fresh air for those interested in Modern and Industrial architecture or those who are simply overwhelmed with old and intricate architecture of the past. Discovered in 1763, the black coal deposits caused an industrial and population boom that continued into the next few centuries. The first steel works were established in 1843. During WWII the city was an important source for the arms industry, which caused the city to be bombed extensively. Ostrava has continued to change after the Velvet Revolution including the shut down of coal mining in 1994 and numerous ironworks in 1998.
 

Additional information about Ostrava: www.ostrava.eu