WALK 2

	Length: approx. 2500 m (one way only) Time: approx. 30 min. (one way only) From Moravia to the smoking Ema slag-heap and the tigers (Silesian Ostrava) Masarykovo náměstí (Marian column, statue of St Florian, Old City Hall - museum) – Kostelní street (church of St Wenceslas) – Zeyerova street – Třída 28. října (City Library, Aréna Chamber Theatre) – Most Miloše Sýkory (Miloš Sýkora bridge – the border between Moravia and Silesia, tank commemorating the liberation in 1945) – Těšínská street (Silesian Ostrava town hall) – Keltičkova street (chapel, Keltička’s forge museum) – Na Františkově street – Na Baranovci street – Občanská street – Na Burni street – Vlčkova street – junction of paths below the Ema slag-heap – summit of the Ema slag-heap – junction of paths below the Ema slag-heap – zoo (along the yellow marked path) From Masaryk Square in Moravian Ostrava it is only a short walk to the neighbouring province of Silesia, on the other side of the river. After viewing the oldest church in Ostrava, you cross the legendary Miloš Sýkora bridge to Zámostí street in Silesian Ostrava. On the other side of the main road, the terrain changes. Moravia’s flat plains give way to the steep hills of Silesia as you walk up from the Ostravice river to the Hladnov hill, passing imposing villas and modern houses, open ground and dense woodland. In Silesian Ostrava, everything is up and down. You are sure to enjoy the peace and quiet of this hilly suburb with its uniquely small-town atmosphere. But there is still one more climb left: walk up the Ema slag-heap (which is still smoking under the surface) until you reach the top – one of the highest points in the entire city, where you will be rewarded for your efforts with wonderful panoramic views.
	1. Filial church of St Wenceslas (Kostelní náměstí – Moravian Ostrava) This is the oldest church in Ostrava and dates from the 13^th century. It is dedicated to St Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech nation. In the Middle Ages the church tower was fortified to protect it against attacks. The current appearance of the church dates from its last major reconstruction in the 18^th century. Archeological digs have revealed the foundations of an older structure, which can be seen on the left hand side of the building. The church is only open to the public at 7:30 mass on Saturdays, at various cultural events, or after prior agreement with the parish. The Ostrava Information Service will help arrange a visit.
	2. City walls, statue of St John of Nepomuk Behind the church of St Wenceslas there nestles a Baroque statue of St John of Nepomuk in his traditional robes, dating from 1717. This intimate corner of central Ostrava is also the site of the last remaining part of the original city walls. More of the walls are to be found on the other side of the Archbishopric, in the rectory gardens.
	3. City Library The last building in Moravia before we cross the river (which marks the border with the neighbouring historical province of Silesia) is the Ostrava City Library. You can walk down the arcade and enjoy some refreshment in the peaceful tea-room, or you can reserve tickets at the Aréna Chamber Theatre box office.
	4. Most Miloše Sýkory (Miloš Sýkora bridge) This bridge was made by the Vítkovice Ironworks in 1913. It was designed to be wide enough to allow two horse-drawn carts to pass each other even when fully laden with hay. The bridge replaced the former ‘Reichsbrücke’, which collapsed at the end of the 19^th century. It is the only bridge over the Ostravice river within the city boundaries to have survived the fighting at the end of the Second World War. It was only saved from destruction due to the heroism of the young Miloš Sýkora, who lost his life defending the bridge. The Ostrava river marks the border between the two historical provinces of Moravia and Silesia. Welcome to Silesia!
	5. Monument to Miloš Sýkora The monument is located just to the right on the Silesian side of the bridge, and was designed by Konrád Babraj. Sýkora’s heroic act of bravery is commemorated by a plaque on the former building of the Silesian Ostrava Savings Bank.
	6. Monument to the 1st Czechoslovak Tank Brigade The monument dates back to 1948 and was designed by Evžen Friedl. It features a genuine tank (number 051) – the first tank which crossed the Miloš Sýkora bridge to liberate the city centre in 1945. The plinth is decorated with reliefs by Augustin Handzel. The tank has won a place in local people’s hearts. The fact that the tank is actually aiming its cannon from Silesia into Moravia has had no effect on relations between the two parts of Ostrava…
	7. A poetic moment Half way between the tank and the Silesian Ostrava town hall there is an ideal place to stop and enjoy a poem… I am Polish Ostrava, but my people are Moravian. For thousands of years I lived without smoke and fire, a sharp wind blew down from the ridge of my hill and the clear, pure Ostravice rushed past. Another extract from the poems of the local bard Petr Bezruč is carved into the stone next to the pavement.
	8. Silesian Ostrava town hall (Viktor Šulc, Jaroslav Volenc, František Doležal 1911-1913) This three-storey building has a striking four-sided spire. The façade is decorated with a gable and balustrades, and the building features rich stucco décor. A simulated bell-chime sounds each hour from the top of the spire. At lunchtime, Ostrava resounds to the melody of the Silesian anthem. Question number 1: Above the entrance to the town hall is the coat of arms of Silesian Ostrava. Moravian Ostrava’s coat of arms bears a white horse – but what animal features in the Silesian emblem? (Clue: It is not a goat.)
	9. Keltička’s forge Just a short way up the hill from the town hall is a small museum commemorating the blacksmith Keltička, who (at least according to local legend) was the first person to discover coal seams in Ostrava. Take a short while to catch your breath and admire the collection of miners’ helmets and other equipment.
	10. No Smoking! At many places in Silesian Ostrava you can see ventilation shafts allowing mine gases to escape to the surface. Every other garden seems to have a pipe sticking out of the ground surrounded by a fence. If you read the information plaques, you will be surprised just how many old mine workings there are under the surface of Silesian Ostrava. And please bear in mind that the No Smoking signs are there for a reason – the mine gases really can be dangerous. If you ignore the warnings and light up anyway, your legs might reach the top of the Ema slag-heap before the rest of you arrives.
	11. Junction of paths below the Ema slag-heap Here you have two choices – it’s too early to turn back, so you can either walk up to the top of the slag-heap or continue to the zoo.
	12. Ema slag-heap This conical slag-heap reaches a height of 315 metres above sea level. It is made of millions of tonnes of mining waste piled up over many years, and offers superb panoramic views over Ostrava and the surrounding area. The Terezie Ema slag-heap (known locally just as Ema) is still active under the surface, as you will see from the clouds of white smoke which vent out from the ground. It doesn’t smell too good, but it is pleasantly warm. Snow never settles on the ground here, and the slag-heap has become a unique habitat for plants which are typically found in warmer climates. According to some sources, temperatures inside the slag-heap reach up to 1500 degrees, but this is probably an exaggeration. As one famous Ostrava industrialist said: “If it really is 1500 degrees down there, I’ll stick a pipe in the ground and pump heat to half of Ostrava, and it won’t cost a penny!” The Ema slag-heap is a perfect place for an evening picnic with spectacular views of Ostrava. Don’t forget that entry to the site is at your own risk.
	13. Junction of paths below the Ema slag-heap If you don’t want to climb all the way to the top, you can go and see the tigers at the nearby zoo – take the yellow-marked path.