Tržnice (Vítkovice) Market

Welcome to this important place, which is deeply rooted in the history of this industrial region. You are standing in front of a building that has been a key point for the daily lives of thousands of people who have worked and lived here for many decades. Feel this atmosphere, feel the weight of history, which in this place meets the everyday needs of man. In front of you is a walled ground-floor building that radiates with its massive form the stability and strength that the entire era of the time carried. Although the surrounding area around the market has changed over the years, this building is still a silent witness to the great changes and expansion that have taken place here.

Now let's go back deep into the past together to understand why this place is so special. The whole history of this place began much before this particular building was completed. Already in the year one thousand eight hundred seventy six there was a shop that was open-ended, accessible to all passers and workers. It was a simple start, but with the way the surrounding ironworks grew and the way the whole city was supposed to be transformed, it was clear that something much bigger and more durable was needed. This is why the decision to build a new, modern market was decided in the framework of the grand plan for the construction of Nové Vítkovice. Thanks to this, this building was completed in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine. It wasn't just another building in a row, it was part of the entire social system that had irons for their employees and their families.

Now pay attention to the very form of the construction you are currently observing. Notice its architecture, which is absolutely typical of the industrial background at the time. The project of this building came to the hands of a man named Hans Ulrich. His work is an excellent example of what we call history. Although it is an object that served practical purposes in an industrial environment, its appearance has some dignity and order. Feel the harmony between functionality and aesthetic form that the builders at the time put so much emphasis on. This ground-floor walled building was designed to be practical for the purchase of food and common domestic goods, but also to reflect the importance and strength of the local industrial centre. Look at her walls and see the fortress that was meant to serve generations.

But to fully understand the importance of this place, we need to look at the people who came here. Imagine the days when people came here after a heavy shift in ironworks to provide basic needs for their loved ones. The market wasn't just a business space, it was part of their safety. Thanks to the great support of local ironworks, employees had one huge advantage that made their lives much easier. They could buy at much lower prices than other people. How was that possible? With special vouchers that added to the races. These vouchers were absolutely essential to many families because they were allowed to have enough food and household supplies on their table without being too demanding on their resources. So the market was where the work, the family, and ensuring the basic existence met.

Perhaps now you may be wondering why this building is so important even now that the world around us is changing so quickly. It is because this market is not just an old building, but is recognised as an indispensable part of our common heritage. This is proof of how the industry was connected to human life in the past. This importance was officially confirmed in the year one thousand nine hundred eighty eight, when the building was entered in the central list of cultural monuments of the Czech Republic. And did you know that it had to be fought to preserve it in later years? In the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-four, an attempt was made to abolish this security position. Fortunately, however, this request was rejected and the market was able to maintain its significant status and its historical face. It's proof of how much people value these clues of the past.

Now that you know the story of this place, its creator and those people who lived here every day, you can continue your journey. Feel the surrounding spaces and try to find a connection to what you've just heard. This market is just one of the many witnesses of the great changes that have taken place here, and it is here to remind us of the roots of this place. Thank you for joining us and paying attention to this piece of history. We wish you a beautiful and inspiring further walk around.