Petrov

The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul stands on top of a hill, known as Petrov, presumably on the site of the former Brno castle that dates back from the 11th and 12th centuries. Following the castle's demise, the free-standing Romanesque basilica was rebuilt in Gothic style (as St. Peter's) in the 13th century. Over the years it was extended, rebuilt and St. Paul was added to its patronage.

In 1777, the church became a cathedral for the Brno bishop. It was converted to the Baroque style in the 18th century and at the end of the 19th century, the church was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style; keeping parts of the Baroque interior.



Every day, the bells are rung at 11 AM. This commemorates the period of the Thirty Years' War and 1645, when Brno was the only city in Moravia to successfully defend itself against the Swedish siege.

The legend goes that, following a 3 ½ month long siege, General Torstenson announced that he would be able to capture the city before the bells rang mid-day. The leader of the defending army, Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches, had the bells ring an hour early, and the Swedish army retreated without a shot being fired. Pretty slick!

The southern slope of Petrov is surrounded by viewing terraces and the Denis Gardens with a marble obelisk, which has been there since 1818 to commemorate the end of the Napoleonic Wars.