Jurkovič house. Source: moravska-galerie.cz

One of the Brno’s most significant, villas, Jurkovič house, has been restored and it opens to general public on April 1.

Famous architect Dušan Jurkovič designed and built this house for himself in 1906 in Žabovřesky quarter. It has had several owners since that time – but luckily, they all cared well about the building.

Several years ago, it was bought by Moravian Gallery and restored.

You can book a tour in English or German, both for just CZK 130.

Traffic jam at Hradecká st.

Court order stopping the construction of “Dobrovského tunnels” beneath the quarters Žabovřesky and Královo Pole caused a sort of irony. The investors are supposed to improve the project due to the environmental regulation – but the order also means that both quarters will suffer from heavy traffic for few more months. According to the latest estimate, Dobrovského tunnels will open in May 2012. Hopefully.

Source: iDnes.cz.

Aleš Kvapil, the mayor of Žabovřesky district, and Radovan Novotný, a former secretary of Brno-střed district, were arrested last week and put in custody.

Sono centrum. Source: brnensky.denik.cz

The reasons are not crystal clear, as the police doesn’t want to comment the case too early. According to local press, Kvapil was arrested minutes after he received a bribe of CZK 1,000,000 (€39,000) from a businessman who had been collaborating with the police. The bribery is supposed to be connected with building an extravagant facility called “Sono centrum” – but now we have to wait for further investigation.

Both politicians are members of right-wing Civic Democratic Party.

Update (8 p.m.): Aleš Kvapil left the mayor’s office and Civic Democrats anounced that he was no more their candidate to the chamber of deputies. I hope that is not the end of the case.

Sono centrum. Source: brnensky.denik.cz

Brno may be decorated (or spoiled, according to some people) by a futurist hotel “Sono centrum” that is going to be located in quarter Žabovřesky.

The most interesting thing about the project is a sphere embedded to the facade. The ball would serve as a conference room for 300+ people.

Sono centrum still needs some more permits, as it is located close to the historical centre. I hope it will finally be built in the projected form.

We have something for the creative class this week.

Chapel at Burianovo sq., in the centre of the historical village

Quick facts

Quarter Žabovřesky (“the place of loud frogs”) lies next to the town’s centre, northern of Špilberk castle and Tivoli palace. The neighbourhood is a vital mix of villas, small family houses and blocks of flats. The borough has 21,655 inhabitants.

Pros

• One of the most attractive quarters of Brno.
• Many restaurants, pubs and clubs.
• Several parks and sport facilities.

Cons

• Parking issues on some streets.
• Northern part of the quarter is being affected by a developement of a huge traffic junction at Hradecká st.
• Higher rents and house prices.

Žabovřesky are among the quarters that are offering the best examples of row housing in Brno

You will love Žabovřesky if…

…you want to live close to good restaurants and cafés and interesting clubs.

You will hate Žabovřesky if…

…you prefer industrial, “grunge-like” neighbourhoods.

Shopping facilities

There’s only one mall, at Makovského square. You can use some of the many small stores for your shopping, or take a short walk to the town’s centre.

Best restaurants

Try tiny fish restaurant Korsár at 26 Minská st. or more luxurious Rialto.

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