Velké Meziříčí is a picturesque town in the Žďár nad Sázavou
District of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic. With a
population of around 11,600 inhabitants as of early 2025, it covers
an area of about 40.66 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of
425 meters. The town's name, meaning "Great Between the Rivers,"
reflects its strategic location at the confluence of the Oslava and
Balinka rivers. Its historic center, including a well-preserved
castle complex, is designated as an urban monument zone, making it a
notable example of Moravian heritage.
The town is
administratively divided into eight parts: the core Velké Meziříčí
(pop. 9,841), Dolní Radslavice (89), Hrbov (165), Kúsky (83), Lhotky
(271), Mostiště (572), Olší nad Oslavou (272), and Svařenov (116),
based on 2021 census data.
The Velké Meziříčí Castle stands as the town's iconic landmark.
Originally Romanesque-Gothic, it was renovated in Renaissance style in
the 16th century and Baroque after a 1723 fire. Today, it hosts the
Velké Meziříčí Museum (founded 1893), displaying historical artifacts,
scientific collections, cubist furniture, and exhibits on infrastructure
like roads and bridges.
The historic center is ringed by preserved
town walls and rivers. The main square features the Gothic Church of
Saint Nicholas, possibly dating to the 12th or 13th century, with a
64-meter tower open for panoramic views. Other highlights include the
15th-century town hall and the sgraffito-decorated Obecník house.
Jewish heritage is prominent, with the Old Synagogue (1695, featuring a
Baroque-Neoclassical portal from the late 18th century), the New
Synagogue (1870, built with distinctive red and black bricks), a
cemetery with over 1,100 tombstones (oldest from 1677), and an 1880
ceremonial hall.
Cultural life revolves around the museum's
collections, including unique cubist pieces, and the preservation of
Jewish sites, which underscore the town's diverse historical tapestry.
Nestled in the Křižanov Highlands, Velké Meziříčí lies about 23 km south of Žďár nad Sázavou and 30 km east of Jihlava. The town's landscape is defined by the merging of the Oslava and Balinka rivers, creating a scenic valley. Along the Lovíčský potok stream, a series of fishponds adds to the area's natural charm. The Mostiště reservoir, the largest water body in the vicinity, partially extends into the municipal territory. This riverine setting not only influenced the town's name but also its historical development as a crossroads settlement.
The first written mention of the town is from the year
1236, when Budislav of Meziříčí is mentioned, in 1281 it is followed
by Znata of Meziříčí and in 1286 Jindřich of Meziříčí. In the years
1330 - 1330, the castle was held by Jan of Meziříčí, which begins a
continuous succession of castle owners. In 1377, the Meziříč estate
consisted of a castle, the town of Meziříčí and fourteen villages:
Čikov, Březka, Rohy, Olší, Lhota (later extinct), Jestřabí, Zhořec,
Lavičky, Hrbov, Radslavičky, Bochovičky (later extinct), Pohořílky,
Budeč and Veselí . Velké Meziříčí gained city rights in 1408, when
he held the manor and the castle was rebuilt by Lacek of Kravař.
Around 1424, the town became an important stronghold of the Hussites
in Moravia, and in the years 1434 - 1515 the town belonged to the
Lords of Lomnice. The city privileges were restored in 1548 by King
Ferdinand I of Habsburg, and from 1594 Velké Berříčí was held by the
provincial governor Ladislav Berka of Dubá.
During the Thirty
Years' War, the city was looted eight times. In 1723 the town and
the castle were engulfed in a great fire, and from the following
year the town was held by Maria Eleonora of Liechtenstein, born
Countess of Öttingen-Spielberg. In 1886, the town gained a train
connection by building a line from Studenec, its extension to
Křižanov, opened at the end of 1953, required a partial relocation
of the line in the city, including the construction of a new railway
station. In 1945, the so-called Velkomeziríč massacre took place,
and in 1968, Soviet occupation troops arrived in the town
(Wednesday, August 21, 1968).
From 2006 to 2010, František
Bradáč served as mayor; since 2010, Radovan Necid has held this
position. The members of the city council were announced after the
signing of the coalition agreement, which was signed by four
associations and parties: the ODS, the CSSD, the Election for the
City and the Independents. Radovan Necid defended the position of
mayor in the 2014 elections. The members of the city council were
announced after the signing of the coalition agreement, which was
signed by six associations and parties: YES 2011, CSSD, KDU-CSL,
KSCM, To pravni Mezirici and Choice for the city. At the meeting of
the council on September 27, 2017, five of the seven members of the
council were recalled and Mayor Necid subsequently resigned.
In 2018, soundings were carried out on the arched road bridge over
the Balinka River, which was intended for demolition, which
collapsed during the soundings. The new bridge was opened at the end
of November of the same year, the total price reached CZK 17.6
million. According to conservationists, the original bridge was
supposed to remain standing, it dates from 1924, but it fell.
Industry remains a cornerstone of Velké Meziříčí's economy. Major employers include Draka Kabely (part of Prysmian Group), specializing in cables and wires; JOPP Automotive, producing car components; and POEX Velké Meziříčí, focused on food processing. These firms highlight the town's blend of traditional manufacturing and modern industrial activity.
The D1 motorway, linking Prague and Brno, runs through the town, featuring the impressive Vysočina Bridge (425 meters long, 77 meters high) that spans the urban area. Additionally, the local Křižanov–Studenec railway line connects Velké Meziříčí to broader networks, facilitating both commuter and freight transport.