History of Brno

During the Thirty Years' War Brno was the only city to succeed in defending itself against two Swedish sieges, in 1643 and the longer one in 1645, thereby allowing the Austrian Empire to regroup its armies and to repel the Swedes.

In 1742, the Prussians vainly attempted to conquer the city, and the position of Brno was confirmed with the establishment of a bishopric in 1777.

Together with the development of industry came the growth of the suburbs, and the city lost its fortifications, as did the Spielberg fortress, which became a notorious prison to which were sent not only criminals, but also political opponents of the Austrian Empire.

The city was not only a centre of industry and commerce, but also of education and culture (see the section on notable people from Brno).

After the war, and the reestablishment of the Czechoslovak state, the majority of the ethnic German population (except antifascists, members of the resistance, mixed marriages, etc.)