The city of Zlin in the Czech Republic is closely connected with the fate of Tomáš Batía. He founded his first shoe factory in it, which eventually turned into the world famous shoe empire, whose products were produced in the Czech Republic and in many countries of the world. The city owes Bate not only shoe production, but also architectural monuments of the twentieth century - a classic example of urbanism. Zlin is Europe's dream come true - a garden city.
Location
Zlín Region, where the city is located, is located in the southeast of the Czech region of Moravia, located in the Carpathian Mountains. Here is the territory of the Carpathian Beskydy and White Carpathian nature reserves, which are under the protection of UNESCO. Over the edge flows the Morava River - the left tributary of the Danube.
As the administrative capital of the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic, the city of Zlín is located in the eastern part of Moravia and is located 80 km from the Czech Brno. The river Drzhevnitsa flows through the city. The attraction of Zlin is the English park, which occupies an area of 52 hectares and a reserved forest in which deer, fallow deer and mouflon live.
The park was founded in 1888, and it houses a beautiful castle. Valuable tree species from Europe, America and Asia grow here. There are enclosures, pavilions, special platforms where you can see and feed animals, buy souvenirs, take an entertaining tour.
History
The first mention of the city in the Czech Republic Zlín dates back to 1332. Here was the center of crafts of Moravian Wallachia. He received the status of the city in 1397. Zlin was the center of an uprising and a thirty-year war with the Habsburg dynasty for independence. Until the 90s of the XIX century, the city was quiet and provincial.
The further fate of the city is closely connected with the shoe factory created by Tomas Batya. It was this enterprise that gave impetus to the development of the city, made Zlin famous in the Czech Republic and in Europe. Before the creation of the factory, about 3 thousand people lived in the city. After 100 years, it has 100 thousand people.
The company "Father"
Tomas Batya was the son of a Zlinsky shoemaker. He started from scratch, and soon a shoe factory was opened in the city. The impetus for the development of his enterprise was the contract for the supply of shoes to the Austro-Hungarian army, since the Zlinsky Territory was part of Austria-Hungary. The First World War significantly increased the number of orders for the army, which made it possible to expand production, and soon the Batya factory supplied shoes throughout the territory of the former Czechoslovakia.
The rapid development of the enterprise required more workers, which the plant hired throughout the Czech Republic, Zlin became their place of residence. The company created favorable conditions for their lives. Workers and employees of the enterprise lived in houses located in garden areas. Wise Tomash Batya, who had become the mayor of the city by that time, sought to bring the interests of the company and its employees, workers closer. A hospital was built, which today is one of the leading in the Czech Republic. New schools and sports facilities opened in the city. The best Zlín stadium in the Czech Republic was built here, the largest cinema in Europe was opened.
The company in 1932 employed 17 thousand people. In addition, its branches were opened in 20 cities of Europe, the USA, Canada, Asia and Africa. In 1933, Tomas Batya died in a plane crash. His work was continued by sons. After the war, the company's management moved to Canada, the factories in Zlin were nationalized and produced quality products under the brand name "Batya".
City Zlin
The main difference between Zlín and most Czech cities is that life in it is concentrated around the enterprise, and not, as is customary, around an old castle or a trading square. Although there is a castle in the city center. Zlin is an industrial city with typical urban architecture, expressed in functional buildings, erected under the guidance of the famous architect F. Gahura and medieval architecture, carefully preserved by the inhabitants.
Combining the incongruous, the city retained its own individuality, recognition and provincial touching. It is not like other Czech cities.
Those who want to visit the city will be interested in how to get from Moscow to Zlin in the Czech Republic. The most convenient way to do this is when you reach the city of Brno. From it, the distance to Zlin is 80 km. You can fly to Brno by plane; travel time is 2 hours 45 minutes.
Mrakodrap
At the very beginning of the twentieth century, in the city under the leadership of the famous Czech architect V. Kárfik, the 16-storey headquarters of the company “Batya” was built, whose height was 77.5 m. The construction of the building was completed in 1936. Now the structure looks very prosaic. But in the year of construction, it was a grand building and the tallest in Czechoslovakia.
The office of the manager located in the elevator looks unusual. It is equipped with everything necessary. Plying between floors, the head of the company personally controlled the work of the departments, and it was much more rational to solve issues right on the spot. Today the administration and tax service of the region are located in the building.
Old castle
In the center of the city is a beautiful garden, bearing the name "Freedom". This is a favorite vacation spot for citizens and guests of Zlin. In the center of it is a medieval castle of the 17th century, made in the Baroque style. Today it houses the Museum of Southeast Moravia and the Art Gallery. After talking with the beautiful, you can go down to the wine cellar, which contains a collection of wines and there is a small restaurant where they cook very tasty.
Other attractions
Of great interest to tourists is the old Town Hall and the Church of St. Nicholas. A very informative shoe museum. It is located in the center of Zlin. Here you can see exhibits telling about the history of the development of the company "Batya". Many attractions in and around Zlín.