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Olomouc Region – Diverse and Picturesque

The Olomouc Region is situated in the central part of Moravia and extends to its northern part. Together with the Zlín Region, it forms the NUTS II Central Moravia administration unit. It is divided into five districts (Jeseník, Olomouc, Prostějov, Přerov and Šumperk). In the North, the region’s boundary forms the 104 km state frontier with Poland.

The Olomouc Region offers a great variety of natural attractions. The Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area with Rejviz, Moravia’s largest peat bog, a waterfall, the Dlouhé Stráně water reservoir and power station at the top of the hill and other interesting sites are all very popular with tourists. The vast alluvial forests in the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, with a variety of endangered plant and animal species, are of special interest.

Statistical Data

Source: Czech Statistical Office

Economic Potential

From the economic point of view, the Olomouc Region is an industrial area with well-developed services. The economy of the Haná District is more stable and diversified, while the Jeseník District and the northern part of the Šumperk District, due to their geographical position, inadequate transport availability and social and economic disarray that ensued after World War II (displacement of the German population), are the economically weakest regions. The southern and central parts of the region are the areas with the most fertile land. The average yields of the crops grown there – spring barley, winter wheat, rape and technical sugar beet – are the highest in the whole CR.

A number of traditional industrial enterprises operate in the Olomouc region. The economically strongest sectors are the textile and clothing industries and electrical engineering. The food industry also has an important position, reflecting the high proportion of agricultural production in the region. Other important branches of industry are machine building and the manufacture of optical devices. New branches with good prospects of development include electronics, information technologies and nanotechnologies. For example, the Natural Science Faculty at Palacký University in Olomouc has concerned itself with nanotechnologies since the 1990s and its research work has already achieved important results. NanoTrade based in the city has been in the nanotechnology business for several years now.

To raise the competitiveness of business activities in the Olomouc Region and to promote innovations and stimulate demand for new scientific applications and their commercialisation, the Palacký University in Olomouc (VTP UP) has opened a Scientific and Technical Park in the city, which has obtained accreditation in the CR as a scientific and technical institution. In 2010, more than 23,000 students were enrolled at three universities based in the Olomouc Region. In the same year, more than 35,000 pupils were studying at secondary schools. There is an airport for small transport planes in the vicinity of Olomouc, which has obtained international airport status.

Tourism

Although the Olomouc Region does not have a dense network of accommodation facilities, it nevertheless offers good opportunities for tourists. Besides the beautiful scenery, there are a number of historical sights, such as the castles of Bouzov, Helfštýn and Šternberk, and the chateaux – Úsov, Tovačov, Velké Losiny, Jánský vrch and Náměšť na Hané, as well as numerous museums and galleries. The regional city of Olomouc with the second largest urban reserve, where a large number of historically valuable buildings and works of art can be found, is most frequently visited. The ground plan of this medieval city is well preserved and much admired by tourists (more about Olomouc below in the "Olomouc District" section). Many ethnographic and dance ensembles are located in the region, giving public performances as a way of preserving local folk customs. Folklore reviews and festivals are held regularly at Náměšť, Prostějov, Kojetín and other places.

The Olomouc Region offers a variety of sporting opportunities. More than 1,500 km of cycle trails have been marked out in the area. Prostějov and Přerov are well-known tennis resorts. Another attraction is the Ecce Homo Šternberk hill climb, an event enjoyed by visitors each year. Tourists can also watch football and ice-hockey matches on pitches and in modern winter stadiums scattered all over the region. Winter sports lovers have the use of well-tended downhill courses and cross-country skiing tracks in the Jeseníky Mountains, in the popular ski resorts of Červenohorské sedlo, Petříkov, Ostružná, Ramzová and many others.

The Olomouc Region has a rich history and a diversified and picturesque landscape, providing ample cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities. The region’s economy is largely based on traditional agriculture, the manufacturing industry and services. Its strategically advantageous location, good transport availability, a well-developed infrastructure, an adequate supply of skilled labour and the presence of foreign investors are prerequisites for its further development. Due to the successful realisation of long-term strategic plans, the economic situation in the Olomouc Region is steadily improving and this trend is expected to continue.

The Region’s Districts:

Jeseník District

Nature has endowed the Jeseníky not only with a picturesque countryside, but also with favourable conditions for the development of curative spa resorts. The most famous resort of European renown is the Priessnitz Spa in Jeseník. It was founded in the first half of the 19th century by the local healer, Vincenz Priessnitz, who combined hydrotherapy treatment with exercise. Currently some 12,000 guests visit the spa each year. Another popular spa is at Dolní Lipová, founded by Johann Schroth of Česká Ves. This spa specialises in the treatment of diseases of the motor system, skin diseases and obesity.

Olomouc District

The Olomouc District is situated in the centre of the Olomouc Region and is the largest of its five districts. Most of the district’s surface area is a fertile plane, called Haná.  The regional city of Olomouc with a population of more than 100,000 is the largest city in the Olomouc District and the entire region. Its most important historical feature is the Přemyslid Palace. In 1204, the castle was nearly destroyed by fire and only the lower part of the tower of the Chapel of St. Barbara was saved. The city’s dominant feature is the three-aisle Cathedral of St. Wenceslas in Wenceslas Square, with a tower 100.65 metres high, the highest in Moravia. Another tower, 76 metres high, with an astronomical clock tops the City Hall in the Upper Square of the city centre. The Holy Trinity Column, built between 1716 and 1754, is an exquisite monument in the Upper Square. In 1995, the Column, together with the Column of Our Lady and the city’s Baroque fountains were declared National Cultural Monuments. In 2000, the Holy Trinity Column was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1966, a new popular feature was added to Olomouc, when the Flora exhibition ground was opened, with green parks and gardens, greenhouses with rare collections of plants and a marvellous botanical garden with rosarium, attracting visitors from far and wide.  

Thanks to its ancient university, Olomouc has come to be referred to as a city of learning. The city, with a population of about 100,000, provides education for more than 20,000 students and has become a university city. Currently, the Palacký University has eight faculties (Saints Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Faculties of Philosophy, Law, Medicine and Dentistry, Education, Science, Physical Culture and Health Sciences).

Prostějov District

The Prostějov District is situated in the very heart of Moravia. The largest city in the district and the third largest in the region is Prostějov, with a population of more than 45,000. Its historical core has been declared an Historical Zone. In the Prostějov District, protected flora and fauna can be admired in 3 national natural monuments, 31 natural monuments and 13 nature reserves. The windmills in the villages of Suchdol, Hačky and Přemyslovice have been well preserved from a past era.

Přerov District

The centre of the district is the statute town of Přerov, with more than 46,000 inhabitants, which is at the same time the second largest town in the Olomouc Region and one of the most important railway junctions in the country. Like Prostějov, Přerov is known for its tennis history, past and present. A large tennis complex with 25 courts, the scene of a number of international tennis tournaments, is situated not far from the city centre. Teplice nad Bečvou, a well-known spa situated in the district, specialises in the rehabilitation of cardiac patients with primary cardiovascular problems and post cardiac surgery patients, and in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.

Šumperk District

Šumperk on the River Desná, known as the “Gateway to the Jeseníky Mountains”, is the  district's largest town. There are many cultural monuments in the town, such as the Renaissance chateau, the Church of St. John the Baptist and a former Dominican Monastery. Cheese lovers are invited to Loštice, a town famous for its typical Czech cheese, Olomoucké Tvarůžky, with a distinctive, pungent taste. There is a unique museum featuring the cheese-making history of the town. Loštice is situated in the southern part of the district on the River Třebůvka. There are a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery in Loštice.

Useful Contacts:

Krajský úřad Olomouckého kraje (Olomouc Regional Office), www.kr-olomoucky.cz 
Price maps of land in Olomouc and other information for businessmen, including information on industrial parks, can be found at www.olomoucko.cz 
Výzkumné pracoviště Univerzity Palackého a Akademie věd ČR – Společná laboratoř optiky (Research Laboratory of Palacký University and the Academy of Sciences, CR – Joint Optic Laboratory), http://fyzika.upol.cz/cs/kategorie-clanku/pracoviste/spolecna-laborator-optiky/ 
Scientific and Technical Park of Palacký University, including information about its Business Incubator, www.vtpup.cz