Vítkovice (Ostrava)

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Blast furnaces of Vítkovice Iron and Steel Works

Vítkovice (German: Witkowitz) is an administrative district of the city of Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region in the Czech Republic. It lies on the left bank of the Ostravice River, in the Moravian part of the city.

It lies in the historical region of Moravia and was first mentioned in a written document in 1357.

Vítkovice, initially agricultural village, witnessed heavy industrialization after 1828 when iron and steel works began to be built. Since then the village became important industrial center of the region.

Vítkovice was formerly an independent municipality, in 1908 it gained town rights, in 1924 it became a part of Ostrava.^[1]

Most important landmarks of Vítkovice are Neo-Gothic Saint Paul Church from 1880-1886, Rothschild Palace from 1846-1847 and Vítkovice Town Hall from 1901-1902. Part of the Vítkovice Iron and Steel Works is designated a National Cultural Landmark.

Football club FC Vítkovice is based in this part of the city. Ice hockey club HC Vítkovice is located nearby but is based in the district of Ostrava-Jih, despite its name.