Znojmo celebrates 800 Years: a royal town of history, wine and the pickle legend
Znojmo lies in southern Moravia, just a few kilometres from the Austrian border. Thanks to its location between Brno and Vienna, for centuries it was a place where different cultures, languages and trade routes met.
An underground labyrinth beneath the town
The first references to the town’s name date back to the 12th century. Znojmo developed into a royal town under the Bohemian king Přemysl Otakar I sometime between 1222 and 1226. The exact date is unknown, as the town’s founding charter has not survived. However, a royal charter issued on September 19, 1226, dealt with property needed for the establishment of the new town. The date was traditionally regarded as Znojmo’s founding day and was used for its 700th anniversary celebrations in 1926. This historical milestone is what Znojmo is commemorating 800 years later.
One of the biggest surprises awaiting visitors is the Znojmo underground — an extensive network of passages beneath the historic centre and one of the largest of its kind in Central Europe. Developed from the Middle Ages onwards, it served as cellars, shelters and part of the town’s defensive system. Today, visitors can choose between conventional and more adventurous tours, which reveal just how ingeniously the town was once constructed.
The Town Hall Tower: a symbol of Znojmo
The late Gothic Town Hall Tower, dating from the 15th century, is one of Znojmo’s most prominent landmarks. Recently renovated, it is once again open to the public. From its gallery, 32 metres above the ground, visitors can enjoy views over Znojmo’s rooftops, the Dyje River valley and, in the distance, the Alps. A new exhibition explores the tower’s history and its importance to the town.
The pickle that became an icon
Znojmo is also famous for its pickled cucumbers, commonly called pickles in English — cucumbers preserved in a seasoned vinegar or brine solution. Cucumbers were introduced to the region in the 16th century, but Znojmo’s pickles only became a real phenomenon in the 19th century, when local growers began exporting them to countries including Austria and Sweden. Although pickles are no longer produced industrially in Znojmo itself, the legend lives on — and the organisers of the anniversary celebrations have adopted it as a playful symbol. The visual identity of the “Znojmo Pickle” celebrations uses both cucumber motifs and the distinctive shape of preserving jars, giving the anniversary a light-hearted and humorous touch.
Celebrations that brought the town to life
The main celebrations took place in June, when Znojmo was filled with historical festivities, processions, feasts and cultural events. In doing so, the town demonstrated that its eight centuries of history are not simply a thing of the past, but remain a living part of contemporary life in southern Moravia.
https://www.znojmo800.cz/
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