We’re going to discover a part of the town that is not an official district, but it is still a world of its own: Cejl and Zábrdovice.
Assumption of Mary Church at Zábrdovice, designed and built by Giovanni Pietro Tencalla in the 17th century
Both neighborhoods lie east from the centre, at the banks of Svitava river. They allways have been a home of the poorest workers of Brno, but now they are changing into a swinging modern quater close to the town’s centre. However, the nickname “Bronx of Brno” still remains.
“Cejl” is officialy only a name of a certain street, but it commonly describes an area between Milady Horákové st., Koliště st., Křenová st. and Svitava river.
“Zábrdovice” usually describes the eastern bank of Svitava river, between Lazaretní st. and Olomoucká st.
Pros
- Affordable rents.
- Close to the centre.
- Lively quarter with many cool-looking industrial buildings.
- Both neighborhoods are slowly transforming – old factories turn into cool apartment housing etc. The value of real estate will almost certainly grow up.
Cons
- Prepare to lose something valuable sooner or later.
- Too much noise and dust.
- No really good restaurants or clubs.
Shopping and services
There is one big supermarket – Interspar at Cejl st. I don’t know about any really good restaurant – there’s a lot of cheap pubs and casions. Just go to the centre for a good meal, or visit club Mýdlo at Traubova st., an interesting space for beatniks, hipsters and other alternative souls.
Cejl street is one of the few boulevards of Brno. It is an interesting mix of modern buildings and ruined tenements.
I asked the spokeswoman of Metropolitan police, Denisa Kapitančiková, about the criminality at Cejl. She answered:
It’s true that Cejl st. is one of the streets with the highest level of criminality, along with Tkalcovská st., Vranovská st., Bratislavská st. and Životského st. in neighborhoods Zábrdovice and Husovice. The most common offences are: stealing things from parked cars, pickpocketing, mugging, ransacking apartmets, drug abuse etc. [...] However, the council is investing in the system of closed circuit cameras and constables are controlling the problematic areas all day and night long.
I also asked my friend Kristýna, who has been living at Cejl st. for 6 years, to share her opinion about the neighborhood. She told me:
Cejl is a perfect “starting quarter” for those who don’t have families. You can’t have any nice walks with bassinet around, but the rents are low and you can get to centre or to Stará osada st. by foot in less than 10 minutes. Shopping is easy thanks to supermarket Interspar. There certainly is a problem with criminality, but I haven’t experienced any offense in last 6 years, it is just very uncomfortable to look at all those 6 years old kids loaded with drugs. [...] It’s better not to walk trough Bratislavská st. in the middle of the night, but there are policemen watching over Cejl st.
An angel painted by children in front of the Assumption of Mary Church
You will love Cejl and Zábrdovice, if…
- …you are a stereotypical Mediterranean person that don’t mind noise at night or kids pooping in the middle of a street. (I am sorry for being slightly politically incorrect, but I could not think about better explanation.)
- …you are a poor student with a low budget for a rent.
- …you are a beatnik, a hipster or a punker.
You will hate Cejl and Zábrdovice, if…
- …you don’t qualify for anything mentioned above.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
A new vegetarian restaurant called Vegalite has been opened recently directly in the Cejl st., actually it’s been closed due to reconstruction but… anyway… soon…
On Stara street, just opposite the Salvation Army is great pub. It’s name is Clubwash. Quite alternative place, but they have one of the best beers ever (Svijany) and you can wash your dirty clother there. :)
I’ve heard about Clubwash before, but I’ve never visited the place. I have a washing-machine at my place, but Svijany is quite a reason for trying the club. Thank you for a hint!