Welcome
Welcome message 1
Lodging 3
Boarding 5
Faculty of Medicine
Masaryk University 7
St.Anne´s University Hospital 10
The University Hospital Brno-Bohnice 11
First time in our hospitals 12
Czech Republic
Country in the heart of Europe 14
Tourists destinations 16
Travelling in Czech Republic 20
Welcome to Brno
History of Brno 23
Must see in Brno 25
Brno City Life
Transportation in Brno 29
Map of Brno - WEST 32
Map of Brno - CENTRE 33
Communication 34
Czech cuisine 37
Czech beer 38
Restaurants 40
Nightlife 41
Cafés 43
Shopping 44
Hey first years!
Congratulations on your acceptance to the Faculty of
Medicine at Masaryk University. Welcome to your new
home away from home, and your new family, MIMSA.
The students in the international program at the
Faculty of Medicine come from all over the world,
creating an incredibly diverse community here in Brno,
of which you are now a part.
Brno is a vibrant and ever-changing student city; you
will notice it seems to always be under construction!
As the second-largest city in the Czech Republic,
there are many resources and amenities that Brno
has to offer, although it still keeps its smaller,
student-friendly charm. From city parks and national
landmarks such as Špilberk Castle to the ever-growing
list of pubs and restaurants, Brno will quickly become
a comfortable home away from home, and speaking
from personal experience, your friends` favourite place to stop in and visit!
MIMSA, the Masaryk International Medical Students` Association, exists to provide
medicine and dentistry students with opportunities and experiences outside the
lecture halls, labs, and hospitals. MIMSA is also your representative to the Faculty of
Medicine and Masaryk University. From educational seminars to social events,
MIMSA is here to help you make the most of your university career both inside and
outside the classroom.
Over the next few weeks, you will be settling into your new surroundings and
flooded with new information, but don't worry, we are here to help! If you want to
get more involved with MIMSA, or have any questions about Masaryk University,
medicine, life, or any combination of all the above, send me an email at
info@mimsa.cz or visit our website at www.mimsa.cz. Even better, come by for a
chat at the MIMSA Office, located in the basement of the Faculty of Medicine
building at Komenského nám 2 (MedFac for short!) or stop me on the street, I'm
excited to meet you!
Yours truly,
Dale Kalina
President
Lodging
Students at Masaryk University can choose from 8 dormitories, located in different
parts of Brno. There are differences in prices, room layout and available facilities,
between each dorm. Most foreign students live in one of two dormitories: Vinarska or
Kounicova. More information can be found at: www.skm.muni.cz
Koleje Vinarska
The majority of foreign students live here.
Address: Vinarska 5, 603 00 Brno
Contact: Vackova Jana: (+420) 549 49 2705 Bookings: (+ 420) 549 49 4442
Email: koleje.vinarska@skm.muni.cz
These dormitories are situated near Brno fairgrounds (10 minutes from the centre by
tram/bus). The complex includes a gymnasium, snack bar, university canteen (called
“menza” in Czech) and Faculty of Economics and Administration. The accommodation
capacity is 490 twin rooms, 5 triple rooms and 30 rooms for four people.
The dormitories are divided into 3 blocks: A1, A2 and A3. Most foreign students live in
A1 or A2. All blocks have the same layout and facilities.
You are provided with bed linen (which can be changed once a month) and in your
bedroom you can find your own wardrobe, study table, chair, kitchenette (including a
fridge and doubld electric cooker), bathroom and toilet-room.
No kitchen utensils are provided; you will need to bring (or buy) your own!
Other facilities available at Vinarska include: internet (wired/LAN), photocopiers,
washing machines (can be used for a small fee), table tennis table and music room
(including a piano).To use the internet, you will be required to bring your own
ETHERNET/LAN cable!
How to get there:
1) Tram no.1 from “Hlavní nádraží” (main station) heading towards “Ečerova”. The
stop for Vinarska is called “Lipová”.
2) Buses 38 and 39, both from “Komenského náměstí” heading towards
“Preslova”. If you take bus 38, the stop is called “Pavlíkova”, whereas for 39 it is
“Vaňkovo náměstí
Koleje Kounicova
Address: Kounicova 5, 602 00 Brno
Contact: The operating assistant of the hall (+420) 549 49 2718
The assistant for accommodation: (+ 420) 549 49 4570
Email: koleje.kounicova@skm.muni.cz
These dormitories are situated near the centre, on the street “Kounicova”.
There are 276 twin rooms and 7 rooms for four people. Accommodation is
in studios with two twin rooms, a toilet room and a shower. In the room
you can find a study table, bookshelf and chair.
Every 2 rooms are connected by a common hall, where common bathroom
and toilet can be found. Shared kitchens are in the corridor. In the
dormitory building you can find a study room, TV room, pizzeria Pizza
Nostra (with student discounts).
Bed linen is provided, which can be changed by residents themselves,
according to the schedule on the notice board.
No kitchen utensils are provided; you will need to bring (or buy) your own!
How to get there:
1) Tram no. 12 or 13, from “Česká” heading towards, “TECHNOLOGICKÝ
PARK” and get off at the stop “Klusáčkova”.
2) Trolley buses no. 34 and 36 from “Česká” heading towards
“Vychodilova”, and get off at the stop “Klusáčkova”.
These connections run 7 days a week, from approximately 5:00-23:00.
They are very frequent, i.e. every 10 minutes or so. Between 23:00-5:00,
there are night buses, which can be caught from the same places, as
mentioned above. They are less frequent, i.e. once every hour.
Electric current in the Czech Republic is 220V, and there are 2 different
plug types, shown below (round pin attachment type):
Boarding:
Masaryk University provides several canteens, but not all are working during
summer holydays.
Academic restaurant
You can find this modern student canteen in Campus Square complex just
ahead of University campus. Menza offers various kind of food even
vegetarian and gluten-free. You can get daily menus or special week´s offer.
Menus include:
Traditional Czech cuisine, many pizzas or steaks, fruit salads and cakes, many
non-alcoholic drinks and also dwo kinds of beer (you have student discount
for that;)
Open dialy from 10:00-20:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-18:00 during weekend.
Moravské náměstí student's canteen
The canteen is located in the building of Masaryk university rectorate. The
menu is less various but still offers at least two meat meals, one vegetarian,
salads, cakes.
Open Mon-Thu 11:00-19:00 Fri 11:00-15:00
Vinařská snack bar
The canteen can be found at Vinarska dormitory next to the block A1. Also
offers various dishes and vegetarian. The canteen also includes nice cafeteria
where you can get your dinner from 14:30-19:30
Open Mon-Thu 8:00-20:00 Fri 8:00-14:30
University cards
All medical students will get ISIC card, which allows them to enter the computer
room, various departments at the university, and it is used for buying meals in all
canteens. The first time you enter a canteen, you have to ask a staff member
to put some money onto your card. Next time you want to get a meal, you just
put the card near the reading equipment and select the number of the
meal, or give it to the lady at the counter (depending on which canteen you're in).
The price of average meal can range from 25 to 50CZK (€1-2).
Masaryk University
Masaryk University is the second largest university in the Czech Republic and the
largest in Moravia. It comprises nine faculties with two hundred departments,
institutes and clinics, which carry out activities in a wide spectrum of disciplines
and areas of research. It has become one of the leading teaching and research
institutions in both the Czech Republic and Central Europe.
Despite its rapid growth, the university remains the most selective in the Czech
Republic in terms of the ratio of students applying for studies to the actual number
of students accepted. Masaryk University was also the first higher education
institution in the Czech Republic to provide prospective applicants with the
opportunity to apply for studies via an electronic application form. The prestigious
EUNIS Elite Award 2005 awarded to the university's Information System (IS) is
proof of its leading position when it comes to the introduction of information
technologies in tertiary education, being the first in Czech Republic and also the
first among the new member states of the EU.
The high rate of success of Masaryk University research teams in obtaining funding
for research and development projects offers striking proof that it is also a
prominent research university. Science and research activities in 2005 amounted to
560 million CZK (20 million EUR). The new university campus in Brno Bohunice, a
project unique within the Central European region, offers new research
opportunities and the chance to link these with teaching.
RESEARCH
Research, one of the highest priorities in Masaryk University, is evident both in the
close relationship between research and education in its doctoral and Master's
degree programmes and in the number of successful research projects carried out
across the whole range of disciplines that the university is engaged in. Among the
most impressive research results at Masaryk University in recent years are the
following:
ENZYMES WITH PHARMACEUTICAL IMPLICATIONS
A team of experts from the National Centre for Biomolecular Research at the
Faculty of Science scored a major breakthrough in discovering new characteristics
of enzymes that facilitate the commercial production of a number of substances,
including pharmaceuticals.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Research into blood-forming stem cells under physiological and pathological
condition is one of the key research programmes of the Internal
Hemato-Oncological Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH INTO CHILD DEVELOPMENT
In cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, the Faculty of
Humanities of Charles University in Prague and the University of Bristol, the Faculty
of Social Studies is carrying out longitudinal studies of the mental, social and health
development of children.
INFORMATICS AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
The Laboratory of Optical Microscopy at the Faculty of Informatics is concerned
with the development of computer-operated devices based on optical microscopes
that are capable of independent scanning and analysis of images of cells and their
parts, allowing 3D images of cells.
St.Anne´s University Hospital
A, CH Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry
A,A5 Department of Oncological Surgery
A1 Department of Clinical Psychology
A1 1st Department of Orthopaedics
A2 2nd Department of Surgery
A2,J Department of Urology
A5 Department of Gynaecology
A5 Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery
A5,M Department of Imaging Methods
B 1st Department of Internal Medicine - Cardioangiology
C Department of Neurology
D1 Department of Clinical Biochemistry
D2 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology
D2,E Department of Functional Diagnostics and Rehabilitation
D3 Department of Clinical Haematology
H,H2 Institute of Pathologic Anatomy
J Department of Neurosurgery
J,P 2nd Department of Internal Medicine
K Institute of Clinical Immunology and Allergology
M, M1 1st Department of Surgery
P Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
S Department of Stomatology
V Institute of Microbiology
The University Hospital Brno-Bohunice
A Department of Pulmonary diseases and Tuberculosis
B Department of Infectious diseases
F Department of Dermatology and Venerology
G Department of Psychiatry
CH Department of Surgery
I1 Department of Pathology
I2 Department of Hemathology
L Department of Surgery, Department of Hemato-Oncology
X Departments for Diagnostics and Therapy
Z Department of Gynecology
First time in our hospitals
You will be introduced to your tutor during first visit, which the resident will
ensure. Please be prepared for the fact that tutors speak English but most patients
don´t.
Czech health care system
Works on European pluralite type of health care. We have excellent government
hospitals that serve the healing patients with general care. The health care system
has two sectors: public and private. By law, all citizens staying in the Czech Republic
must have some health insurance. You, as a student of our faculty, are insured by
our university against damage done at work and your injuries.
Recommended clothing
In Czech Hospitals you have to wear white t-shirt or shirt (a t-shirt is better), white
trousers, white socks, white slippers/mules/shoes (not dirty ones from the street). You
can also have a white coat if you don`t have T-shirt and trousers. If you don't have
any of them, you will have to buy them here.
Country in the heart of Europe “
The Czech Republic is in the middle of Europe. With its population of over ten
million inhabitants and an area over 78 000 square kilometres, it belongs to
one of the smaller countries from the former Eastern Bloc. Due to its location,
it is also one of the most important transit countries.
The Czech Republic has a multiparty parliamentary democracy headed by
President Václav Klaus.
The Czech economy, situated at 82% of the European Union average, is
considered to be one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist
states. Recent growth has been led mostly by exports to Germany. The Czech
Republic was founded on January 1st 1993, when Czechoslovakia broke up into
the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It became a member of OECD in 1995, NATO in
1998 and the EU in May 2004.
The country is historically and culturally divided into three main regions Bohemia,
Moravia and Silesia. The country is also divided into 14
administrative regions. The capital, Prague, is tthe biggest city in the country
(with a population of over one million) and as the administrative centre, it is
the seat of the President, the Government, the Parliament of the Czech Republic
and the Supreme Court. The second most important and second largest city is Brno.
The Czech Republic has a population of about 10.2 milion. The majority of
people living in the Czech Republic are Czech. The biggest minority living in the
Czech Republic - almost 2% - are Slovaks, then Poles, Germans and the Romani.
The Czech Republic is one of the least religious countries in the world. Over
sixty percent of people count themselves as atheists. But majority of these
atheists like to say: “I believe in something above us”. The majority of religious
people are Roman Catholics and Evangelical Catholics.
The country has a continental climate. You should prepare for a relative hot
summer and a cold winter with ice and snow. The Moravian region, where
Brno is located, is the hottest and driest region in the Czech Republic. It is
great for planting vegetables, fruit and also for the production of wine.
Czech Republic tourist destinations
The Czech Republic is a small country in the middle of Europe, but a lot of tourists
visit it every year because it has so much to offer. These tourists search especially for
monuments, which are unprecedented in the world and also for natural beauties,
which are the pride of this land. The borders of the country are created by
mountains, which imaginarily protect architectural treasures inside.
Prague
Capital of Czech Republic is Prague. This city is a centre of state institutions, courts,
various organizations and companies, political parties, religious associations,
universities etc. Dominant is Prague castle which is traditional residence of Czech
monarchs and since 1918 it has been a residence of Czech president. At the third
yard, there is St.Vitus cathedral. It is the main and also the biggest temple in Prague.
It is actually devoted to three saints of Czech history. These are St.Vit, St.Vojtech and
St.Vaclav-a patron and protector of Czech lands. In the areal of Prague castle, there
is a lot of various churches. For instance, St.George's basilica, St.Cross`s chapel and
St.George's monastery. Apart from these, there are nice grounds around the whole
complex. The golden street, which is full of very small houses, where goldsmiths
lived. Nowadays there are galeries, museums and stalls with souvenirs. The Golden
street ends with tower Daliborka. It is a turret from 15th century with a dungeon.
Vltava is the longest river of the country and flows through the Prague. There are
many bridges across the river in Prague and the most interensting and most
important of them is Charles bridge. It is located at the place of original Judita's
bridge which was destroyed by flood. Karl's bridge is from 14th century when Karel
IV. was a king of Czech lands. At the bridge, there are many statues of Czech saints.
Well-known are St.Jan of Nepomuk or St.Cyril and Methodius.
Prague is full of squares. The most interesting of them are Vaclavské náměstí and
Staroměstské náměstí. At the top of Wenceslas square is the National museum and
the statue of St.Václav. The dominant of Old town square is old town hall with
astronomical clock-Staroměstský Orloj. Other monuments in the centre: National
theatre, Vysehrad Castle, The Jewish Quarter, Petrin Hill. The whole historical centre
of the city is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Historical monuments aren't the only wealth of Prague. There is a lot of modern
buildings. One example is Dancing house at the quay of Vltava. Prague is a city, but we
can find also parts with nature. For example Petrin gardens are ideal for walks and
for view of the city, because there is a Petrin tower. The template for this building was
the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but our Petrin tower is much smaller.
Kutná Hora (A)
An urban conservation area played an important role in silver mining in 13th century.
Whole city is surrounded by forests. A heart of a town is a scenic square with
romantic restaurants. The most visited monument is St.Barbora's cathedral, which is
situated near the centre of the city. Apart from this temple you can find other
historical monuments, which are worth seeing, such as a Czech museum of silver and
medieval mine, Stone house or Stone fountain. We recommend you to visit the famous
ossuary. (C) It is a remarkable experience for all medical students.
Český Krumlov (B)
The city lies on the banks of Vltava around the originally gothic castle komplex. It`s
architectural heritage has remained intact for more than five centuries. This is the
second most extensive castle area in the country after Prague Castle. The monument
grounds include over 300 gothic and renaissance buildings. Český Krumlov is an
important centre of culture, because there are six museums, a well-known City theatre
and in the summer the actors play in the garden of castle in a revolving auditorium.
Telč
The square of Telc is flanked by a set of gothic and renaissance burgher houses with
arcades. Houses have renaissance, baroque and classical shields. The square directs
to original gothic and renaissance castle from the 15th century with nice renaissance
garden and an English park. Other important monuments: the area of the former
Jesuit college of the Holy Name of Jesus, a late gothic Church of St.Ghost, Spirit Parish
Church of St.James from the 14th century, the Marian Column and two baroque
fountains in the square.
Lednicko-Valtický areál
Princes of Liechtenstein transformed their estate between 17th and 20th century in
a big park. This area is among the most modified landscapes in Europe. Adjustments
were based on the principles of the English parks. There you can find the baroque
architecture, the neo-gothic architecture or castles and small buildings built in
romantic style. These are Glasshouse, Minaret, New court, Temple of three graces,
Obelisk etc.
Olomouc
The city is situated in the middle of central Moravia. For its unique atmosphere, it is
a popular center of international conferences and festivals. Olomouc is, next to Brno,
a second historical and political center of Moravia. Nowadays the Palacky's university
is situated in Olomouc and also the archdiocese. The city is the spiritual and
educational centre. Important monument is Column of holy trinity. This pillar,
erected in the 18th century, reaches a height of 35 meters. This unique piece of
architecture is characterized as "Olomouc baroque“. The column is decorated with
many statues and sculptures and is the largest in central Europe.
Žďár nad Sázavou
The city is important thanks to church at the Green hill "Zelená hora“. The pilgrimage
church dedicated to St.John of Nepomuk was bulit in years 1719-1722. It is a
masterpiece of the architect Santini and most original example of the so-called
baroque gothic. It is built in a five-pointed star and is surrounded by a cemetery and
chapels. A platform is derived from the circle in which is inscribed decagon. Around
this circuit turns five chapels with a triangular floor plan and lay out with five chapels
in oval shape. The second interesting is the Museum of books which is the only one
in the central Europe.
All of these previous cities belong to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Hluboká nad Vltavou (D)
The castle is the biggest attraction for visitors. It is the neo-gothic monument built in
the Tudor gothic style, following the model of english royal Windsor castle.
Moreover, there are more attractive targets: zoo Ohrada, luxury golf course, the
princely court and Alš`s south bohemian gallery where you can see collection of
sculptures and paintings by Dutch painters of the 17th and 18th century.
Slavkov u Brna
Also known as Austerlitz abroad, it is important place in European history, because a
battle of Three emperors took place there on December 2nd 1805. Napoleon's army
defeated Austria and Russia. You can also visit: Peace memorial at the Zuran hill
where Napoleon had his main tent. A Baroque castle with an imposing garden in
French and English style in the centre of the town. Nowadays there is a historical
museum which offers multimedia presentation of the battle.
Czech nature
The Czech Republic is surrounded by mountains, which protected bohemian country
for centuries from abroad. At the North there are Krkonose, our highest mountains
with the top named Snezka. Is in unforgettible experience to see this part. At the
South-West it is Sumava. It is one of the oldest mountains in the Europe. The top of
Sumava is Arber which is precisely on the border with Germany. There is also Lipno
barier, which is the biggest water area in republic and was built on the river Vltava. In
the East there are the Beskydy Mountains, which are forested with rounded peaks, on
the border between Poland and Slovakia. At the South you can find Pálava. Pálava is
protected area with untouched nature 30 km from Brno. It starts from village
Pavlov and finish around the city Mikulov and state border with Austria. Local
landscape is very preserved and thanks to that you can see a lot of rare animals
and plants. There are important archeological areas, because this place was
constantly inhabited for thousands years.
Traveling in Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic you can travel quite easily to almost everywhere. There are
many ways and companies to travel with. Here we have recommended just a few
of them for you:
BUSES:
Student Agency (www.studentagency.cz):
This company offers long distance coaches, to many different Czech and European
cities (e.g. Olomouc, Hradec Kralove, Plzen, Vienna, Berlin, Munich, Paris,
Amsterdam etc.). Advantages of this company are a high standard of on board
services such as steward, free drinks, free Wi-Fi, free magazines and newspapers,
watching movies and listening to the radio. This company goes also almost directly
from the airports in Prague or Vienna to Brno (you have only to transfer to another
bus at bus station Florenc in Prague if you go from airport Ruzyně).The bus stop in
Brno is called “Hotel Grand bus station”. You can reserve every journey online, pay
electronically, and then you just need to print the ticket or remember your ticket
number.
• Journey Prague-Brno takes approx. 2H 30Min (no way to airport included),
price is 200 CZK from Florenc bus station (downtown) or 250 CZK from
Ruzyně airport. If you have an ISIC card, you will get a discount (170/220
CZK).
• Journey Vienna-Brno takes approximately 2H (no way to airport included),
price is 190 CZK from Praterstern bus station (downtown) or 310 CZK from
Schwechat airport.
Megabus (www.megabus.cz)
Megabus is another company offering connections to Czech and European cities as
well. You can also book your journey via the internet.
Eurolines (www.eurolines.cz)
Another company with similar offers to almost all of Europe like companies
mentioned above.
ČSAD (www.jizdnirady.cz)
This bus company goes to almost every place in the Czech Republic. You can visit
many places with them - castles, villages, town, cities etc. Normally you buy tickets
from the drivers.
Tourbus (www.tourbus.cz)
Tourbus offers one of the cheapest connections between Prague and Brno.
BUS STATIONS:
Prague
• Florenc bus station (Metro station Florenc, lines B and C)
Brno (2 different!!):
• Hotel Grand bus station (companies: Student agency, Megabus)
• Zvonařka bus station (companies: Tourbus, Eurolines, ČSAD etc.)
RAILS:
České dráhy (ČD) (www.cd.cz) In the Czech Republic, unfortunately we have
only one major rail company called České dráhy (ČD). Travelling by rail, for a single
person is more expensive than travelling by bus, but it is cheaper if there is a group
of people travelling (third and every other pays only 50% of the price). Trains
depart from Hlavní nádraží (translation: main railway station).
FLYING:
Although there is an airport in Brno called airport Tuřany, there are not many
flights to and fro. So many students travel via two main airports - Ruzyně in
Prague (Czech Republic) and Schwechat in Vienna (Austria). Both are
approximately 200km away from Brno. There are direct connections (or with one
transfer) from both airports services by companies (e.g. Student Agency).
TRAVELLING IN PRAGUE
You need to have a ticket for public transportation:
• 26 CZK, 90 minutes
• I recommend you, to get a SMS ticket: www.dpp.cz/en/sms-ticket on your
mobile phone - write the text: DPT and send it to the phone number 902 06
26.
• Bus No. 119 to Bus/Metro station Dejvicka (line A), to get to Florenc station
you have to change at Muzeum station to line B
• Bus No. 100 to Bus/Metro station Zlicin (line B) and directly to Florenc station
History of Brno
Surrounding of Brno was settled around 4000 BC when the first agricultural colonies
were founded.
Aproximately 1020 AD Brno castle was built by the duke Bretislav and small colony
on the bank of the River Svratka started to spread. In 1243 the villages of Brno were
united and Brno got the royal town privileges. Famous Cistercian nunnery
(monastery for nuns) was founded by queen Eliska Rejcka. During centuries, the
town was surrounded by fortifications and its importance was rising. Brno became a
prominent meeting point of three big traderoutes leading from Poland, Austria and
Hungary.
In the Thirty Years War the city besieged by Swedish forces, which did not manage to
conquer the city. The Swedish defeat prevented them from marching against Vienna
and allowed for more time to create an Austrian offence and end the war promptly.
Following the war, the city became a formidable baroque fortress. In 1742, Prussian
army tried to capture the city but they also failed to do so. Shortly after that the
bishopric was established on the hill Petrov.
On December 2nd 1805, the three emperors battle was fought in Austerlitz (Slavkov)
near Brno. Napoleon's army defeated Austrians and Russians.
In the 19th century, the fortifications were demolished and the city enlarged in
Vienna`s architecture style. In this time J.G.Mendel laid the foundations of genetics
at monastery in Old Brno. During the First republic (1918-1938) university was
established and called after the first Czechoslovakian president T.G.Masaryk, Brno
fairground was opened.
The second world war was devastating. The city was controlled by Gestapo from
Spilberk and many citizens were murdered in Kounicovy dormitories by SS troops.
After the war, all German inhabitants were deported.
Next communist era brought economical stagnation. Fortunately the city is changing
into a lovely metropolis. Many finances are invested on science and education. In
2007 the University Campus for medical and nature sciences was opened and
become the most modern university building in central Europe.
Must see in Brno
Spilberk castle
The baroque fortress with Petrov hill dominates the skyline of Brno.
The old castle was founded by king Premysl Otakar II in 1277. In 14th century,
autonomous Luxembourgs reigned here. During centuries the castle was
transformed into forcible baroque fort. The fort resisted all Swedish attacks during
the batlle of Brno (1643) under Raduit de Souches leadership.
In the 18th century, Spilberk became a nightmare for the whole Europe. The terrific
prison was built in Kasematy. The heaviest prison in Austrian-Hungarian empire was
called "Dungeon of Nations“. This prison was eventually closed in 1961.
Nowadays, you can find a museum there. Many famous festivals as Ignis Brunensis,
Summer Shakespeare festival and iron fencing exhibitions take place there.
Petrov
This church was built on the rocky edge of the old part of the city. Together with
Spilberk they make up an incommutable panorama of Brno. We can find the
cathedral of St. Paul and St. Peter and the bishop´s residence there.
The cathedral of St. Paul and St. Peter is the oldest church in Brno, its beginnings are
dated to 11-12th century.
It was rebuilt into a gothic church in the 14th century and it was given the final form
in years 1904 and 1905 when the two towers, the dominating features, were built in
neogothic style.
You can find Petrov on the 10kc coin..
Freedom square (Náměstí Svobody)
The dominating feature of the city centre, the square of triangular shape, is Namesti
Svobody. The first thing that you may notice is the plague column and Skacel´s public
fountain where the parts of his poems are written.
The whole square is bordered by bourgeois houses where historical elements
together with modern ones are gently mixed.
The square is an attractive place especially when traditional Christmas and Easter
markets take place. Do not forget the annual November gustation of wine from
the Czech fields. It is a unique experience.
Česká street
The pedestrian zone going from northwest part of Namesti Svobody and leading to
Jostova - where are many tram stops.
Looking for a great place, where anyone meets anyone. You can´t miss Česka street,
the biggest meeting point where young couples have dates under the clock,
classmates start their way around pubs and children wait for their mums. Every day
and night time, you can meet someone here.
Vila Tugendhat
The jewel of functionalism is situated in Cerna pole quarter. It was created by
famous architect Ludwig Miese van den Rohe for Mr and Mrs Tugendhat in 1928.
Because of their Jewish origin, they had to escape and the house was used by Willy
Messerschmidt, German aircraft engineer. After the second World War, Red army
ruined almost the whole interior. After the Velvet revolution, the house was
reconstructed and in 2001 hiitss importance was declared by its inclusion in UNESCO
patrimony.
Capuchin crypt
The crypt is situated in the basement of Elevation of the Holy Cross Church near
Masarykova street. You can find there mummified bodies of more than 50 people,
monks and aristocracy from 18th century. The bodies were mummified just by air
and you can admire their whole physiognomy. The body of famous Baron Trenck, a
leader of dragoon regiment (one kind of Brno beer is named in his honor) and
St.Clementine relics are burried there.
Jundrov forest
If you want to get rest in a forest in the city of Brno, you should go to Jundrov. The
wide forest-park is just few minutes by tram from the centre. Many pavements cross
this park. You can see mouflons, deer, wild pigs and many other animals there.
How to get there:the bus No. 52 from Mendel square ("Mendlovo namesti“), it's the
stop "Stara dalnice“.
Brno Exhibition Centre
This fairground is most important exhibition ground in the Czech Republic. It is
situated in Pisarky valley near Mendel square. It was founded in 1928. The pavilions
were designed by elite architects of that era. Many exhibitions as the international
machine, industries exhibit, invex, the concerts of the best rock bands like Linkin
Park, Rolling Stones can be seen here.
How to get there: tram No. 1, tram stop called "Výstaviště“.
The University campus
The complex of the most modern university buildings in Europe. It is situated next to
the university hospital of Brno. The theoretical departments of Faculty of Medicine,
Faculty of Science and Faculty of Sports Studies are situated there.
Take a bus No. 60 or 61 to bus stop "Nemocnice Bohunice“ or you can take a trolley
bus No. 25 from Mendel square to the same bus stop.
Prehrada (dam)
This 10 kilometres big dam, also called the sea of Brno, used to be one of the most
frequent recreation areas where boats are anchored and the green meadows around
attract to long walks. It is still a very popular centre of relaxation and sport activities,
especially the water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, fishing and many
more. With regrets we have to say, that swimming in the dam is only on your own
risk because of cyanobacteria.
The best way how to get there is to take a tram No.1 and get out at the "Pristaviste
station“.
If you want to take a longer walk, go to the north to the castle Veveri.
Veveri castle
The castle lays upon the River Svratka in the north end of Brno dam. Gothic castle
was founded in 13th century. During centuries a small manor was transformed into a
large castle with huge fortifications and towers. In 19th century countess Ypsilanti
rebuilt surroundings into parkside with glasshouses.
The area surrounding the castle is hilly and woody, it is a good choice for having a
picnic because of the nice view of the dam. You can get there by bus, by bike or by
boat across the dam.
Transportation in Brno
General information
The city of Brno and its surroundings are serviced by a public transport system with
unified travel tickets, which you can use for travelling by trams, buses, trolley-buses,
microbuses, boats and trains (limited distance). This company is called Dopravní
podnik města Brna (abr. DPMB) - in English it is called - Brno Public Transportation
Company.
Tickets
Before each journey, the traveller has to have a ticket and validate
it immediately after boarding the vehicle. During changes, tickets
do not need to be further validated.
The validity of a ticket is time and zone limited. If you travel around
Brno you don't have to buy any tickets with extra zones. The ticket
is valid from the moment it is validated for a period specified on it
and only in those tariff zones marked on the ticket.
All tickets are transferable, except the 10 minutes ticket (this one is valid only in the
vehicle, where it was already validated).
LEGEND TO PICTURE
A ... ticket number
B ... type of ticket
C ... time validity of ticket
D ... zone validity of ticket
E ... how tickets are used
F ... price
G ... print for marking:
1 ... symbol of carrier
2 ... vehicle number
3 ... line
4 ... zone
5 ... date of punching
(day, month and the two last digits of year)
6 .punching(hours:min)
Tickets are sold at ticket vending machines at transport hubs and important stops,
tobacconists, outlets of the Brno Public Transportation Company and drivers.
Most important tickets
Losing a ticket, forgetting travelling pass, ticket control
You need to have a validated ticket during your entire journey. That means you have
to validate it immediately after getting on board. In every vehicle, there can be ticket
controllers. These are casually dressed men or women, which will show you a card or
metal badge of Brno Public Transportation Company. You have to show them your
ticket or pass. If you don't have any of these, you will have to pay a fine, 700 CZK if
you pay immediately or within 5 working days, 1000 CZK if you pay later. If you own
a pass and you just simply forgot to take it with you, you have to (to avoid paying the
full fine) bring it within 5 working days to an outlet of transportation company and
you will pay a fine of 50 CZK. Should you lose anything when travelling, ask any
driver for assistance. All found items are deposited, the following day, at the Lost
and Found Office, Malinovskéhonám. 3, Tel. No. +420 542 173 012
Transportation at nighttime
Between 23:00 and 5:00 there are running no trams, trolley-buses or casual buses.
In this time there are night buses signed by numbers 89-99. These gather together in
front of the Main railway station and leave together at specific times:
• Friday and Saturday nights - 23:00, 23:30, 0:00, 0:30…every half an hour until 5:00
• a night before a working day (e.g. Wednesday or Sunday) - 23:00, 23:30, 0:00,
1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00
BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS!!!
Communication
The isolation during Iron Curtain days still influences normal life in the Czech
Republic and you can feel it mostly in communication. Sometimes older
people are shy around international students. The majority of older people
speak only Czech and sometimes Russian. But don´t be affraid that nobody will
understand. Almost all af young Czechs speak English or German.
Czech is a very unique and hard language, which has its own specific letters
like Ř-a fricative trill (no one apart from Czechs can pronounce it!)
But the pronunciation is quite simple-the letters sound the same as you read
them.
During your stay- in a hospital, in a restaurant or in shop, the phases below
can be usefull for you.
Czech cuisine
Eating habits in the Czech Republic are quite different from the rest of the world.
Our cuisine is typical for middle Europe - it is quite heavy, but in combination with
our national drink - beer; it is a tasty meal and a delicious experience. Eating is a
Czech national sport. You can see many people with their well deserved bellies. We
call it “beer pregnancy” or “beerceps”.
The day usually begins with a light breakfast. The main meal of the day is usually the
midday meal - lunch. Dinner consists of a small meal but many men raid their
fridges throughout the night!
Soups
Czech meal consists of two courses - the first ordinary part is a hot soup. It is usually
served as part of the menu in restaurants. Most common are beef or chicken broth
with noodles or liver dumplings.
Sauces
Sauces (omáčky) have the leading role in Czech cuisine - usually made from meat
broth and vegetables (e.g. tomato sauce, mushroom sauce and sauerkraut soup
called "zelňačka“ or famous vegetable sauce and marinated beef sirloin called
”svíčková”).
The main course
• Roasted pork, sauerkraut, dumplings (“vepřo-knedlo-zelo”) - the most famous
Czech meal. You can order it in all Czech restaurants and we highly
recommend you to try it.
As a side dish to the sauces we usually serve dumplings (knedlíky) - meal
made from a dough (flour, eggs and sometimes potatoes) boiled in hot water.
• Goulash - originally a Hungarian dish, that is very popular in the Czech
Republic. It is in fact meat broth with red pepper. Also served with dumplings
but of a different kind - made from a roll.
• Bramboráky - fried pancakes made of rough-grated or fine-grated raw
potatoes, flour, milk spiced with marjoram.
• Wiener schnitzel - meat fillet in bread-crumbs served with potato salad or fried
cheese with potatoes.
• Koláče, Buchty - a type of yeast pastry consisting of fillings ranging from fruits
to cheese or poppy seeds on doughnuts.
Beer
Brewing has longstanding traditions in the Czech Republic. The first records
about beer production relate to 1088 and the first brewery is known to have
existed in 1118 and the city of Brno had the right to brew beer from the 12th
century. The most famous Czech beer brands are Pilsner Urquell and
Budweiser Budvar, but in Czech Rep. you can try many different beers, some
of them you can find only in specific days during the year e.g. harvest beer
“Dožínkové pivo” or green beer “Zelené pivo”.
Practical information
Almost all beers produced in the Czech Republic are bottom-fermenting. They
are varied in colour from pale “světlé”, through amber ”polotmavé” and dark
“tmavé” to black “černé”. Top-fermented wheat beer “pšeničné pivo” can
also be found pretty often. Beers in the Czech Rep. are brewed in different
strengths from 3-9% of alcohol, which will be expressed also in its taste. In
pubs or on the labels you can distinguish this by grade scale. Mostly you can
get "tap" beer 10° containing app. 4.4% alc., "lager" beer, brewed between
11° (5% alc.) and 12° (5.5% alc.) and “special” beers, brewed above 13°.
Reservations are not obligatory if you want to go for a beer. On one side there
is a high possibility that you won't find a free place in the pub you wanted; on
the other side there are lots of other pubs nearby you can visit. The most
popular days for going for a beer are Friday followed by Wednesday and
Saturday, that's why we recommend you to reserve for a place (or make a
reservation). Making a reservation is for free; usually you have to be there by
20:00, at the latest.
Smoking in the pubs is allowed in Czech Republic, but in some restaurants or
cafes you can easily find a non-smoking part, unfortunately this is not the case
with pubs.
In the next page, you have a IFMSA TOP 5 pubs list. There are alson many other
pubs throughout the city- everyone has their own personal favourite!
IFMSA CZ - TOP 5 pubs for BEER LOVERS
U Richarda
• Address: Údolní 7 (behind of the Faculty of Medicine in downtown)
• Reservation: 00420 775 027 918, www.uricharda2.cz
• 4 kind of beers - Honey beer called in Czech "Medovépivo“, Sour cherry
beer called "Višňovépivo“, Wheat Beer called "Pšeničnépivo“ and Light
lager called "Světlýležák“coming from a small Brno brewery from the city
district called Žebětín.
Středověká krčma
• Address: Česká 6
• Reservation: 00420 542 21 00 21, brno.stredovekakrcma.cz
• Every Friday and Saturday historical fencing or belly dancers can be found
here. Here, you can try very old Slavic drinks "Medovina“called “mead”
in English. It is light alcohol made from honey, you can drink it cold or
hot ("Soptící medovina“) with a steam coming out of it. Another
interesting alcohol would be beer Korma, that is a mixture of mead and
a beer. This is the right place to feel the history of Brno.
Steak bar Modrá růže
• Address: Modrá růže - Kounicova 2
• Reservation: Modrá růže - 00420 521 248 912
• You can try here almost different 20 beers produced by bigger and
smaller breweries and many steaks-even tartar steak from raw beef
Minipivovar Pegas
• Address: Jakubská 4
• Reservation: 00420 542 210 104, www.hotelpegas.cz
• This is another small brewery in Brno with its own beers. Most people
don't like the staff here, but many like the beers.
Pivovarská pivnice
• Address: Mendlovo náměstí 20
• Reservation: 00420 543 420 130, www.pivovarskabrno.cz
• This is the biggest and most famous brewery of Brno producing its own
beer called “Starobrno” for many centuries. You can drink these beers
in many pubs and restaurants in Brno and its surroundings.
• A very specific kind of beer is so called Green beer “Zelenépivo”, which
you can drink on only one day a year - Maundy Thursday (in Czech
“Green Thursday”).¨
Restaurants
There are plenty of resturants, the best choice are Czech pubs and restaurants, with
a typical Czech cuisine, of course, you can find many international restaurants such
as Italian, Indian, French, Spannish or Asian. It takes time to decide, what your
favourite meal is and where you want to have it.
You can find a list of some restaurants here. International restaurants are in
appendixes.
Pegas
A well-frequented place due to its nice atmosphere and beer variety. You can also
experience here some of Czech traditional dishes. Adress: Jakubská 120
Blahovka
Awarded with the certificate of “Best Pilsner Beer” of all Brno, combined with the
famous “koleno” (knee pork) makes the perfect spot for those you like to have the
“breakfast of champions”. Adress: Gorkého 54
Empire
At the top of the building, it combines the perfect atmosphere with a great view. Also
provides a lovely meal giving you the opportunity of tasting something different.
M-Palace
With the best view over the city and a quite romantic atmosphere makes it a nice
choice to hang out with your beloved one. Adress: Heršpická 813
Onyx
A casual chic restaurant, well decorated with a nice atmosphere and some food
variety makes this place a perfect spot for a cocktail party or a nice place to start
your night. Adress: Zámečnická 1
Nightlife
There are so many ways how to spend a time in our city when the sun goes down.
You can choose between more than 1000 pubs, music clubs, where many Czech or
international (pop, music) groups play, or discos. You will be surprised, how long the
pubs stay open and you can enjoy well-know Czech beer. But be careful- public
drinking is prohibited in the city. We decided to place a list of our favourite
restaurants below.
We want to share our international fellow experiences with you to make this night
ride much easier for you;)
MIMSA TOP 5 clubs
Mandarin
• Address: Jakubské nám.6
• Reservation: bar@moment-bar.com
• Mandarin is the #1 stop for all international students. If you are ever at a loss as
to which club to go, Mandarin is always waiting. With a social bar area
upstairs and sofas and dance floor downstairs, it provides the perfect
combination for an awesome night. You are bound to find one of your
classmates here any given Friday!
Remix
• Address: BRANDLOVA 4 Reservation: 606770762
• Remix never fails to provide a fun and messy experience! No student of Brno
can say they have partied until they have had a night in Remix.
Livingstone
• Address: Dominikánské nám. 5
• Reservation: +420 542 210 090
• A MIMSA favourite!!! Set in a interesting environment, Livingstone offers the
kind of atmosphere you can't find anywhere else in Brno. Popular to both
Czech and international students with music appealing to everyone's taste,
from 80's to hip-hop. This club has foosball, an upstairs drinking area, and a
separate chill-out room.
Metro
• Address: Poštovská 6
• Reservation: 515 533 452
• With sofas and movie-inspired posters, this is a great environment to slowly get
merry! Metro always attracts a friendly crowd with people only looking to
have fun!!
Fleda
• Address: Štefánikova 24
• Fleda is one of the largest clubs in Brno and hosts the most important club
events in Brno. The club is usually booked for big themed events. It has one of
Brno's biggest dance floors, multiple bars, chillout area and another small
dance floor. A good place to go for groups, and a great place to meet new
people from different backgrounds.
Cafés
It is not a problem to take a coffee or have a lunch on every corner of the city. "Small
gardens“, that is how we call them, grow up every spring in the front of the
restaurants and cafes, where you can sit and enjoy your drinks or meal outside.
No matter what it is, if you like some specialities from cafe shops with extraordinary
kinds of coffee, if you prefer to drink a beer somewhere in the pub or if you prefer
delicious wine which is served right from the barrel, you will be pleasantly surprised by
the great prices and nice waiters everywhere.
Liberty Cafe
A MIMSA favourite! Found near the upmarket shops of Brno centre, Liberty Café is
a splendid place to have a coffee and a bite to eat during the day, and with late
opening hours becomes a good option for pre-drinking before proceeding to a
nearby club.
Café Lavazza
Your local coffee. Comfortable and relaxing, just right for hanging out and catchingup
with friends.
Solitaire
A chic café found in the city centre with a pleasant garden area. Offers coffee,
moravian wine, beer and fresh food. Can also be booked for private functions.
Podnebi
A discreet and charming café, situated just behind the faculty of medicine. Friendly
service, free Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, chocolate, Panini's a good place to go for a chat with
friends. The outdoor patio is great in the summer!
La Dolce Vita
This café is located in the historic part of town, Petrov Brno, near the church. It offers
a quiet environment with a summer garden and Italian music. La Dolce Vita boasts
38 kinds of hot chocolate, 28 kinds of frappe, specialty coffee, Italian coffee
(PORTIOLI), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, salads, toasts, ice cream sundaes.
Shopping
What is the great advantage of Brno when we are talking about shopping?
Anything you could ever need or want can be found right in the city! New stores
and supermarkets are opening all the time in Brno. Supermarkets try to cover all
customers' needs and their opening time is usually 24h a day. The shopping centres
themselves are usually open until 9 p.m. We can mention, for example:
Vankovka
A warehouse turned into a shopping center with a large variety of shops and cafés. A
gallery is the passing point between the central train station and the bus station If
you need to find something, that would be the perfect place to start.
Olympia
The second shopping area is little bit peripheric, with almost one hundred shops,
cafes, restaurants or fast foods with the addition of a kart circuit. Challenge your
friends and have a great afternoon chilling out. Though out of the city, still a good
place to visit for a good time. The cinema complex is also situated there.
There is a free bus connection between Vankovka and Olympia with special blue
buses.
H&M / Zara
Because students have to always look their best, the best place to create your style
would be Zara and H&M. Address: Česká 161
Vagner
A must go to any student who needs books, dossiers or any other kind of study
material to be successful in their course. Address: Česká 161
IKEA
The perfect place for buy furniture and make your space feel more like home.
Address: Skandinávská 4
Of course you can find supermarkets as Kaufland, Billa, Tesco, Albert, Interspar in
Brno
The booklet was created by Czech medical students from IFMSA in cooperation
with international medical students from MIMSA during their study breaks, so
please cut us some slack on the typos!
Not one medical student was injured during creation of this booklet.
THANKS TO:
Luís Cardoso Goncalves Cyrrillo (MIMSA coordinator)
Martin Kubát (IFMSA coordinator)
Matej Halaj (graphic design)
And our crew who wrote all of the chapters:
Dale Kalina (MIMSA President)
Devangna Bhatia (MIMSA)
Eliška Lašová (IFMSA)
Eliška Dubská (IFMSA LEO)
Eva Markvartová (IFMSA)
Jindřich Černý (IFMSA LP)
Peter Lidinský (IFMSA)
Roshan Photay (MIMSA)
Vasco André Neves (MIMSA Vice President)
Zuzana Simonová (IFMSA)