The city of Brno is located in the south-eastern part of the Czech Republic. It is the second largest city after the capital Prague. Since time immemorial, the Czech state republic has consisted of two territorial units, the western part is made up of an area called Bohemia and the eastern part is called Moravia. The history of the city dates back about a thousand years, when these two territories began to be formed and settled. The town is dominated by two elevated sites, where two important architectural monuments are located, which represent the symbol of the town. At the top of Petrov Hill is the Basilica of Peter and Paul (
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"This vast complex is situated atop a hill of the same name. Špilberk Castle was established in the 13th century by Premysl Otakar II to protect both the Czech lands and the town of Brno. An occasional residence of Moravian margraves, the castle became a huge military fortress in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1783, as decreed by Emperor Joseph II, it was transformed into a jail for serious criminals and soon also for political prisoners from countries throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Špilberk was known as the harshest jail in Europe. Its famous prisoners included Italian Carbonari, notably poet Silvio Pellico, and Václav Babinský, the famous Czech bandit.
After 1855, the castle served as military barracks. During both world wars, the castle again functioned as a jail, as first opponents of the Austrian regime and later Czech patriots during the Nazi occupation were imprisoned there. In 1962, Špilberk was added to the National Cultural Heritage list.
The castle walls offer an amazing view of Brno. The castle also serves as a cultural centre, housing Muzeum mesta Brna (the Brno City Museum). Concerts, theatrical performances, and festivals are often held there."
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