The 20 cm thick layer of ice over the Brno dam lake looks safe, but it is still highly recommended to avoid some places while skating.

Updated on 2/27: Due to the warm weather, the ice is not thick enough anymore. According to the municipal police, skating over the dam lake is not safe.

Walking, skating or skiing on the ice is safe only in the part of the lake that lies closest to Brno (map). Municipal police has already rescued several people falling down to the cold water through a thin, gappy ice which is to be found near Sokolské koupaliště (map).

The police therefore asks people not to enter areas marked with caution tapes and to listen to their instructions on the place.

It is possible that the ice will thin up next week, when the temperatures will rise again. If you want to get some fresh air, find some time for skating this weekend.

Sand beach at Náměstí svobody sq.

Beyond a beer garden: where to savor life on a street

Many people coming from western Europe are surprised by the fact that Czechs do not enjoy “living on a street” as much as other nations do. However, several pubs and cafés in Brno are changing this, despite the forced 10:00 p.m. closing time.

Bláhovka pub, 54 Gorkého st.

Bláhovka pub at Gorkého st. on a Friday afternoon

Bláhovka was probably the first place in the modern history of Brno that attracted a crowd of “guests” drinking beer (great Pilsen, by the way) standing on a street in almost any weather.

Falk café/Špargl bistro, 12 Gorkého st.

This combo of a hipster café and a student bistro has only three tiny tables at the street but on some warm summer evenings it atracts crowds of dozens.

Kamenná st., including Duck bar

Siesta in front of Duck bar

I may be posting about Kamenná kolonie too often, but here is just another reason: every day after 5 p.m., a small crowd of 5-20 people sits down in front of Duck bar. These folks sip beer, smoke, read newspapers and discuss news – which is something you can not experience anywhere else in Brno.

Zelená kočka and Varna, Solniční st.

Two of the biggest beer gardens in downtown Brno turn Solniční street into quite a living place. I prefer Zelená kočka for the excellent Dalešické beer.

Přístavní st.

The road from Přístaviště tram station to the Brno dam lake is filled with huge beer gardens and wide enough for careless promenading. Sadly, you have to get ready for some slow and unwelcome service here.

Where to cool down

• In some of the outdoor swimming pools, of course.
• In a café, drinking some home made lemonade.
• At the sand beach at Náměstí svobody sq.
• In an outdoor cinema.

Please, share your tips

It is quite likely I forgot about some cool places, maybe I even don’t know some great spots. Please, share your experiences with others in the comments.

A huge anchor near the docks at Brno dam lake.

Two years ago, Pope Benedict XVI visited Brno and celebrated a mass at Tuřany airport. According to a tradition, the place was decorated with a cross and an anchor. Now these two objects were put to display next to the Petrov cathedral and Brno dam lake, respectively.

The anchor is located next to a new ferry boat stop – it is hard to miss it when you walk around the dam lake. (See it on a map.)

Golden cross in Denis gardens

One of my friends noted that there is a sign “Come closer to me” at the cross, but the cross itself is locked behind a fence. Funny. (See it on a map.)

Fireworks above Špilberk castle (source: ignisbrunensis.cz)

Hundreds of thousands of specators are going to enjoy the 2011 Ignis Brunensis fireworks festival. If you want to join them and witness the largest local event of 2011, follow three simple advices.

1. Check out the schedule

… and remember that the fireworks take place even during heavy rain.

Prelude at the Denis Gardens (i.e. Petrov cathedral)

Friday, 27 May / 10.30 p.m.

Theatrum Pyroboli, Czech Republic: Metamorphosis

(Best vieweable from main train station and Nové sady st.)

Exhibition at Brno dam lake

Saturday, 28 May / 10.30 p.m.
Flash Barrandov SFX Czech republic: Vitamins for Friends

(Take trams #1, #3 or #11 to get to the lake from the centre of Brno. For the best view, stand at the banks near the Santon hotel and quay, i.e. not further than one kilometer away.)

Competition at Brno dam lake

Wednesday, 1 June / 10.30 p.m.
Storm Artifices, France: Stormy concert

Saturday, 4 June / 10.30 p.m.
Fire Event Les Pyrotechniciens, Luxembourg: Luxembourg Meets Brno!

Wednesday, 8 June / 10.30 p.m.
Vaccalluzzo, Italy: Human Moods

Exhibition at Špilberk castle

Friday, 10 June / 10.30 p.m.
Flash Barrandov, SFX Czech republic: Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances

2. Bring a radio, use public transport

Each of the fireworks has a soundtrack, so tune 88.3 FM at your cell phone or pocket radio to listen while watching.

There will be dozens of extra trams and buses transporting people to the fireworks at Brno dam lake and then back downtown, so it is quicker to get around by public transport than by a car. Also, it’s quite complicated, if not impossible, to park a car near the Brno dam lake during the fireworks display.

It is also wise to get to the venue one or two hours before the fireworks start. You can have some beer and sausage, listen to live music etc.

Remember that Brno dam lake is not very far from Brno – if you find it hard after the fireworks to get to a bus, you can walk back downtown in a hour and a half or so through Komín, Žabovřesky and Veveří quarters (all safe).

3. Don’t miss other events

The fireworks festival is only a part of what is called “The days of Brno, the city in the center of Europe”, which is a totally stupid phrase, but it actually means some great fun.

A vintage tram Caroline riding through the streets of Brno (source: Dezidor @ Flickr)

On Friday, May 27, there is the Night of Churches, which means that churches in and around Brno will be open until midnight and you can explore many places that are usually closed for public. (Wait for another Brno Now post for more info.)

From May 27 to May 29, you can join the Hot air balloon jam (not for the faint-hearted).

If you like old buses, tramways etc., don’t miss the Transport nostalgia festival on June 11 and 12. You can see some really old vehicles riding right in the centre of Brno – and even get aboard some of them.

Check out the official website for more events.

A ferry boat approaching Veveří castle

The weather is too beautiful to spend Saturdays and Sundays at home. One of my favorite trips is to ride a tram #1 to stop Přístaviště (30 minutes from the main station), hike to Veveří castle along the banks of Brno dam lake (2 hours), and then to take a ferry boat back to Brno (1 hour for the castle, 1 hour for the cruise).

The hiking is quite easy, as there are almost no uphills and you can have a beer or a lemonade in several beer gardens along the way.

Veveří castle is surprisingly huge

Veveří castle is almost unknown to foreign visitors of the town, although it is one of the most popular “beauty-spots” for locals. A century ago, the situation was opposite. Until 1925, it had been owned by British nobleman Arnold De Forest-Bischofsheim – and it also had been visited by Winston Churchill for several times, including during his honeymoon. (Learn more about the history of the castle.)

The castle has been decaying for a very long time after the World War II. In recent years, thanks to castellan Petr Fedor, the situation is getting better – place after place, the huge complex is getting repaired.

Sadly, there are no tours with English-speaking guide. However, for only CZK 20, you can walk through all the courtyards and even to some ambits and towers.

Boat Brno

Ferry boats have been a popular tourist attraction for 65 years – which is being celebrated this month. However, prepare to pay CZK 110 for a cruise from Veveří castle back to Bystrc quarter. It is worth of the money anyway. Learn more about the ferry boats, prices and timetable.

If you want to do this trip, print out this tourist map. Přístaviště tram station is at its bottom, Veveří castle at its top. Follow the red trail all the way and you can not get lost.

There are several open air swimming pools in the town – try out one of these on your next day off!

Kraví hora

Outdoor swimming pool at Kraví hora (source: kravihora-brno.cz)

Kraví hora outdoor swimming pool is located five tram stops from the city centre, next to the great indoor swimming pool.

In July and August, the place is opened from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m; 3 hours of sunbathing and swimming cost CZK 50, all-day ticket is worth CZK 100.

Larger map

Riviéra

Riviéra in Pisárky quarter (source: rivec.cz)

Located next to the Exhibition ground, outdoor swimming pool Riviéra was a promising project in the early 1990s, but it quickly turned in one of the stillborn businesses of the early Czech capitalism. However, life is returning to the huge area and you may enjoy several swimming pools, as well as other leisure time facilities.

Riviéra is opened daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and all-day ticket costs CZK 90.

Larger map

Dobrák

You may know about Dobrák from a recent post about an open air cinema running there until the end of August.

All-day ticket costs CZK 95 but you’ll get a CZK 30 discount after 4 p.m.

Btw, you can check out a webcam capturing the swimming pool.

Zvětšit mapu

Zábrdovice

Spa in Zábrdovice, next to Zbrojovka factory (source: lazne-brno.cz)

Designed in the 1920s by renowed functionalist architect Bohuslav Fuchs, “spa” in quarter Zábrdovice is not a shiny place anymore. On the other side, with entrance fee of CZK 80, it is one of the cheapest places to go for a swim.

Larger map

Brno dam lake

Technically speaking, Brno dam lake is not a pool, but hundreds or thousand people swim or ride boats there every day. State has invested a lot of money to clean out the water and there is a nude beach located on the northern bank, approx. 2 kilometers from the ship dock.

Larger map

Fireworks above the exhibition ground (photo by Zdenek Softic)

Brno is getting ready for the biggest event of 2010, fireworks festival Ignis Brunensis. You can check out the schedule in an older article, so let’s talk about details now:

• All the firework shows start at 10:30 p.m. There is no entry fee, of course. Just arrive and enjoy.
• Bring a radio or a cell phone with FM receiver and tune up frequency 88.3 FM – radio Kiss Hády broadcasts an official soundtrack, synchronised to the fireworks (mostly the best-known pieces of classical music, some songs by Led Zeppelin, Queen etc.).
• It has rained during most firework shows I have attended (I have not missed the festival since 2001). Bring a raincoat and remember that only a total apocalypse can prevent the fireworks makers from launching the show.
• Do not be afraid of using the public transport. The shows may have 250,000+ specators but there are hundreds of extra trams and buses transporting the crowds to and from the venues.

I personally recommend you to join this event. At least for one night. I am not a huge fan of fireworks, but the combination of hundreds of thousands joyful people, fresh spring air, classical music and fireworks over great sceneries is magical.

Ignis Brunensis is officialy nicknamed “Brno. The town in the centre of the Europe. Festival of fun below the castles Špilberk and Veveří.” The nickname doesn’t lie – these two weeks bring such amount of fun you can not enjoy anywhere else in the region.

There are many supporting events. I will cover the most interesting ones in upcoming articles, so keep following Brno Now.

The website of the festival is translated into English, German and Russian.

A ferry boat on the Brno dam lake (source: Wikimedia Commons)

After two years, ships are sailing again on the artificial lake above the Brno dam. One of the best ways of spending a day off in Brno had to step aside last year due to the lake’s cleanup.

A two way ticket from the docks in quarter Bystrc (tram stop Přístaviště, accessible by tram line 3, 9 and 11) to castle Veveří cost CZK 170 (€6.60). The ships sail every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Of course, you can take shorter sails, for example to return to Brno with your bike from a long trip.

All the ships have orlop decks, so you can stand a little rain (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Last week, brand new ship “Lipsko”, named after Leipzig, the German twin-city of Brno, was baptized. It can carry up to 200 passengers.

Map

Larger map

The 13th annual festival Ignis Brunensis – “the town in the centre of Europe” – will take place between May 21 and June 6.

Every year, it attracts 1,000,000+ spectators and participants, which gives Brno absolutely unique atmosphere.

Ignis Brunensis 2008, photo by Zruda

Here is what you can look forward to:

Fireworks

The shows usually start at 10:30 p.m. and last for 20-30 minutes.

• Friday, May 21 – Prelude – shopping Mall Olympia – Theatrum Pyroboli (CZE)
• Saturday, May 22 – Exhibition – Dam reservoir – Flash Barrandov SFX (CZE)
• Wednesday, May 26 – 1st competitor – Dam reservoir – Noctiluca (GER)
• Saturday, May 29 – 2nd comptetitor - Dam reservoir – Pyra (SVK)
• Wednesday, June 2 – 3rd comptetitor – Dam reservoir - Storm Artifices (FR)
• Friday, June 4 – Grand finale – Denis gardens – Flash Barrandov SFX (CZE)

Other events

• May 26 – May 30 – Hot air balloons festival
• Sunday, May 30 – Childrens’ Day
• June 4 – June 6 – Exhibition of historical trams etc.
• Sunday, June 6 – Špilberk castle folk feast
• June 6 – June 10 – Autotec/Autosalon 2010 – international fairs of automobiles at the exhibition ground

If you want to surprise your partner with a romantic date, there are the places to go:

Denis gardens (“Denisovy sady”) (map)

You can always find an empty bench near the old column at the top of the hill.

Spring at Petrov

The park surrounding the iconic cathedral of St. Peter and Paul were completely restored 5 years ago and their design won the Grand Prix of Czech architects. You can enjoy many benches and beautiful views of the town. The place has been safe even at night since the instalation of several closed circuit cameras (remember that this is definitely not the right spot for public sex).

This is the destination #1 for dating pairs, especially during spring and summer.

Park around the Špilberk castle (map)

People observing Old Brno from Špilberk castle

A little lake at the western side of the park

The castle of Brno is surrounded by a big English garden. Contrary to the Denis gardens, you can get some privacy in here. My favorite place is the western side of the hill, with a romantic artificial lake and an old-fashioned garden house.

A quarry at Hády (map)

When the weather is nice, you can see whole Brno from this place.

One of the many messages of love written with 20lbs+ stones.

This place is dangerous. Several young people have died here during the last 10 years, as they had fallen down from the top of the quarry.

However, it is still worth of – careful – visiting, because young people of Brno use the abandoned quarry to write giant love messages with stones. A wonderful tradition.

Brno dam reservoir and Veveří castle (map)

A ship sailing from Veveří castle to the docks.

Veveří castle in winter. Did you know that Winston Churchil had stopped by there during his honeymoon?

I recommend visting this place during the warmer parts of the year – you can walk down the banks, drink lemonade or beer in some of the many beer gardens and, of course, sail on a boat.

Park at Kraví hora (map)

The park as seen from its highest place.

There is a nice place for dating next to the terminal of tram n. 4. The small but neat park is ideal for sunbathing in summer or sledding in winter.

The article was translated from our “sister site”, Poznej Brno.

I discovered this video of powered paragliding, taken at (or rather above) the water reservoir in Bystrc, and I knew I had to share it:

Later I discovered somebody who is recording his downhill biking accomplishments and uploading the stomach-rising videos to Vimeo:

I absolutely adore these young fellas, jumping and skipping at park “Denisovy sady”. Actually I think that this sport, called “le parkour” is the most dangerous one out of the three sports mentioned in this article:

If you know about any other extreme sport achievements captured on film anywhere in (or near) Brno, let us know in the comments.

The temperature got to -20 C last night and the reservoir of Brno dam froze over. However, according to police spokesperson Denisa Kapitančiková, the ice is too thin and ice skating may be extremely dangerous.

Frozen reservoir on this afternoon

The lake looks beautiful anyway, so why don’t you take a trip to Bystrc? If you prefer ice-skating to hiking, try out the skating ring at Moravské sq.