ZNOJMO

The site was inhabited since prehistoric times, as demonstrated by the rich archaeological finds. The history of today’s Znojmo, directly followed the tradition of contemporary Hradiste St. Hipolyta, powerful and sprawling former Slavic settlement from the 9th and 10 century, which was one of the most important fortresses of Great Moravia. Probably in early 9th century there was church. Hipolyta. And besides him there were many princely buildings and log buildings. When after the fall of Great Moravia appeared sometime in the mid 11th century and a large independent feudal principality, was one of them „Znojmo country“, as it is noted, the subsequent division of the Czech Moravian Duke Břetislav. At that time Bretislav built on today places a new castle, which was far smaller than the old castle on Hradiště. In his defense, not only was no need for such a large number of troops but also for its strategic location and better organization responsible development time became an important fortress on the southern boundary settled. From this period dates the Rotunda of the Virgin Mary and St.. Catherine, in 1134 rebuilt and decorated with frescoes depicting the legend of the oldest Czech Occupation Premysl the Ploughman the royal throne.

The first written mention of Znojmo is in a charter of 1048, the Prince Bretislav based provostship in Rajhrad and where the witnesses listed Znojmo Markvart warden. After the death of Prince Bretislav went to Znojmo his son Conrad I. and Znojmo became the seat of the ruling princes Premyslid. At this time, coins minted at the castle – Znojmo dinars. In 1100 the castle became the place of marriage with a Czech prince Bořivoj Gerbirgou, daughter of the Margrave of Austria. But already in 1146 during the war the Bohemian duke Vladislav Znojmo appanage prince Konrad II. plundered. At that time, was called „Castle nejopevněnější Znojem“.
Magnified importance of the castle and market square, which was established just before the intersection of important merchant routes. It was a large settlement around the market place has become the foundation of a new city, conceived by Czech King Premysl Otakar II before 1226th The new royal city became the mightiest fortress on the southern border Premyslid state. Znojmo Minorite monastery was also the final resting place of Premysl Otakar II. after the unfortunate battle of Marchfeld in 1278, where he fell. In 1296 his remains were solemnly transferred to Prague. During the reign of King John of Luxembourg city has been awarded many benefits and privileges. For example, in 1324 gave the city the same rights to trade wine and salt, such as enjoying the city of Brno and Jihlava and banned foreign wine bar in the town to ease the burghers against foreign competition. In 1335 there married John’s youngest daughter Anna as the Austrian Archduke Otto von Habsburg. In the grand celebration was a fire and burned nearly half of the city with the castle.
Znojmo in the history of the country played an important role later, when he was here in 1393 with the participation of King Sigismund, markrabího Jobst of Moravia, Duke Albrecht and Wilhelm of Meissen markrabího umluven secret alliance against the Czech King Wenceslas IV. In the second plot against King Wenceslas IV. However, in the hands of Znojmo Czech side and against the troops of Sigismund and Albrecht of Austria is defended. Death of the Emperor Sigismund in Znojmo in 1437 Luxemburg dynasty died out.
In 1459 arrangements were in Znojmo-year peace between Bohemia, Moravia and Austria. The city at this time began slowly rebounding economically přestálých after riots in 1462 and with the permission of King George of Podebrady minted its own coins with the city emblem, on which first appeared the letter „Z“. King Louis confirmed the Jagiellonian town in 1523 city law, which followed a number of other cities and towns. From this time comes the wonderful parchment Codex of the rights, positioned in the Znojmo district archives. The Regional Assembly held in 1535 in Znojmo was adopted moravian establishment, which is one of our important legal landmarks. According to contemporaries, was in the 16th century town of Znojmo rich, which blossomed in trade in wine and fruit, and enjoyed its golden age.
After the unfortunate battle of White Mountain, here in 1628 again held provincial council, on which was adopted for Moravia Renewed Earth, which enacted the inheritance of the Habsburgs to the Czech throne, absolutism, and recatholicization Germanization. At this time completely disappeared from Czech tenure in the city. The highlight of the Thirty Years War, suffering, for which the town suffered considerable damage, the third was occupied by the Swedes in 1645. The number of population decreased by half. Until the second half of the 17th century the town was threatened by the Turks. In the late 18th and early 19th century the city suffered from the Napoleonic wars. In 1805, crossed himself Napoleon led the French army, stretching to Austerlitz. Napoleon appeared in the city again in 1809 and fought in the victorious battle Suchohrdel short. In 1866 the city again suffered the Austro-Prussian War.
In these times, the town became known especially ceramic industry. Spread the cultivation of cucumbers, which are introduced Louka abbot Čepirohu Freytag from the late 16th century. Their treatment has become world famous. Wine, fruit, especially apricots were another important trading commodity. Was also known Znojmo leather industry. In the Czech consciousness was in 1870 in Znojmo based patriot, a notary and poet Jan Vlk first Czech Association Meeting-region, which in the history of re-Znojmo or graphics played a very important role. In 1918 he was made a failed attempt scattered Znojemsko from the newly established Czechoslovak Republic. After the Munich agreement, however, was cut off from Czechoslovakia and became part of the Sudetenland. Even in 1938, came here on a personal inspection of Adolf Hitler. After the hardships of World War II, in which the end of the city suffered extensive damage by bombing, was liberated by the Red Army until the last day of the war on 8 May 1945. In 1971 the historical core of the city for its great historical value, declared a historical conservation area.