Opava

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This article is about the city in the Czech Republic: for other uses, see Opava (disambiguation)

Opava

Flag

Coat of arms

Coordinates: 49°56′20″N, 17°54′9″E

Opava

First mentioned

1195

Government

- Mayor

Zbyněk Stanjura

Area

- City

90.61 km² (35 sq mi)

Elevation

257 m (843.2 ft)

Population (2005)

- City

59,843

Postal code

746 01

Website: http://www.opava-city.cz/

Opava (IPA: [ˈopava] (help·info); German: Troppau, Polish: Opawa) is a city in the northern Czech Republic on the Opava river. The historical capital of Czech Silesia, Opava is now in the Moravian-Silesian Region and has a population of 59,843 as of January 1, 2005.

1 History
2 Economy and Culture
3 Famous Opavans
4 External links

[edit] History

Opava was first documented in 1195. It received Magdeburg city rights in 1224 and was the capital of a medieval Silesian duchy. After the majority of Silesia was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia during the War of the Austrian Succession begun in 1740, the remaining Silesian territory still under the control of the Habsburg Monarchy became known as Austrian Silesia with its capital in Opava (1742-1918). The Congress of Troppau took place in Opava in 1820. After the defeat of Austria-Hungary in World War I, Opava became part of Czechoslovakia in 1918.

From 1938-1945 Opava was occupied by Nazi Germany. A day before Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938, Opava was shorn from its okres and became its own Stadtkreis. After the end of World War II, the German population of Opava was expelled from 1945-46; many of them settled in Bamberg, Germany.

[edit] Economy and Culture

Opava is currently an important business and cultural center. It is the location of several economic and cultural institutions serving the entire region, including the Silesian Land's Museum, the Silesian University of Opava, and the Silesian Institute of the Academy of Science. The city is part of a congested industrial area along with Ostrava and produces mining equipment. Opava also awards its own Cultural Prize. The Silesian Theatre in Opava was founded in year 1805. Plays were performed in German until the end of the Second World War.