Uherský Brod

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Uherský Brod (IPA: [ˈʊɦɛrski: ˈbrot]) is a town in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It is situated in the south-east of Moravia (Czech: Morava). It lies in the Vizovice Highlands (Vizovická vrchovina) and near the White Carpathian Mountains (Bílé Karpaty).

Other important towns and villages in the region of Uherský Brod:

Bánov
Bojkovice
Nivnice - One of the three possible birthplaces of Jan Amos Komenský (Comenius).
Komňa - Also a possible birthplace of Jan Amos Komenský (Comenius). Komenský bears his name after "Komňa".
Vlčnov

[edit] History

Flag with the symbols of the town.

The history of Uherský Brod can be traced back to the 10th century. In 1272, Premysl Otakar II promoted it to King's town. The 16the century marks the heyday in the history of the town under the lordship of John of Kunovice (Czech: Jan z Kunovic); the townhall and lords' house were built. The period of flourishment lasted to the very beginning of the 17th century when the Hungarians started to attack it.

Later the German and Jewish communities started to grow. The 19th century is the period of industrial development.

Image:Janacek Brewery.jpg

Sign of the local Janáček Brewery

World War II brought the development of war industry - Česká zbrojovka, a firearms manufacturer, plays a leading role in the region's industry.

There is also a local brewery, Janáček, that supplies mainly in the region. The name is often confused with Leoš Janáček, a Czech composer. However, the two have nothing in common.

[edit] Comenius

Uherský Brod is a possible birthplace of Jan Amos Komenský (Latinised: Comenius). However, most likely it is just a place where he spent a part of his life.

There is a museum and a secondary grammar school that bear his name.

The personality of Comenius was the grounds for the twinning of Uherský Brod and Naarden, the Netherlands, where Comenius is buried.