Olomouc (German Olmutz), city in the east central part of the Czech Republic, located on the Morava River. Olomouc is a trade and industrial center for the surrounding region, which specializes in dairying and barley. Olomouc has ironworks and steelworks, breweries, and saltworks; products include smoked meats, malt, sugar, chocolate, candy, cement, and machinery. A historic city located in the Moravia region, it contains Palackı University (founded in 1573, reestablished in 1946), the 12th-century Saint Wenceslaus Cathedral, a 13th-century town hall, an archbishop's palace, several well-known fountains,and other baroque buildings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Founded in 1050, Olomouc served as the joint capital of Moravia with Brno until 1640, and the two cities alternated after that. In 1242 the Mongols were defeated here, and the city was devastated by the Swedes in 1642. Important treaties effecting European boundary changes were signed in Olomouc in 1478 and 1850. Population (1999 estimate) 103,372.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Olomouc Information info
|
