Zlín

Zlín
Name	Zlín
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Czech Republic
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Zlín Region
Subdivision type2	District
Subdivision name2	Zlín District
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Jiří Korec
Area total km2	102.83
Population total	74178
Population as of	2023-01-01
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Central European Time
Utc offset	+1
Timezone DST	Central European Summer Time
Utc offset DST	+2
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	760 01
Coordinates	49, 13, 59, N...

Zlín. A city in the Czech Republic, it is the administrative capital of the Zlín Region and lies on the Dřevnice River. Historically transformed from a small town into a global industrial center by the Bata Shoes company, it is renowned for its unique Functionalist urban planning and architectural heritage. Today, it is a hub for education, light industry, and cultural events, maintaining a distinct identity shaped by its 20th-century development.

History

The earliest written mention dates to 1322, when it was a small craft settlement under the ownership of the Bishopric of Olomouc. For centuries, it remained a relatively insignificant market town within the Kingdom of Bohemia, its development tied to local trade and agriculture. A pivotal transformation began in 1894 when Tomáš Baťa founded a shoemaking workshop, which evolved into the vast Bata Shoes empire. Under the leadership of Tomáš Baťa and later his half-brother Jan Antonín Baťa, the company implemented a revolutionary model of industrial garden city planning, constructing factories, housing, and social facilities according to modernist principles. During the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, the city was occupied by Nazi Germany and renamed Gottwaldov in 1949 after the first communist president Klement Gottwald. Following the Velvet Revolution, the city reverted to its original name in 1990, and its industrial legacy remains a defining feature of its urban landscape.

Geography

The city is situated in the eastern part of the country, within the historical region of Moravia. It lies in a valley of the Dřevnice River, a tributary of the Morava River, at the foothills of the Vizovice Highlands and near the White Carpathians Biosphere reserve. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and forested areas, with several parks and reservoirs integrated into the urban fabric, such as the Zlín Reservoir on the Dřevnice. The Zlín Zoo is located in the southern part of the city within the Lešná park. The Zlín Region borders Slovakia to the east, and the city's climate is classified as temperate continental.

Economy

The economy was historically dominated by the footwear industry, with the Bata Shoes company achieving worldwide prominence and establishing factories across the globe, including in India, Canada, and the United Kingdom. While shoe manufacturing continues, the contemporary economic base has diversified into sectors such as Rubber and Plastic processing, Machinery, and Electronics. The city is a center for Aviation, with the Moravan Aeroplanes company having a long history of aircraft production. It also hosts significant research and development facilities, including those for the Continental AG corporation. The Zlín Film Festival and related tourism contribute to the service sector, alongside a growing number of Information technology firms.

Culture and education

Cultural life is strongly influenced by its architectural heritage, notably the iconic Baťa's Skyscraper, a 77.5-meter functionalist office building. The Museum of Southeast Moravia in Zlín documents the region's industrial and social history. The city is internationally known for the Zlín Film Festival, a major event for children's and youth cinema. In education, it is home to Tomas Bata University in Zlín, which has faculties focused on technology, humanities, and logistics. The Zlín Palace of Culture and the M. A. Kunc Gallery host numerous exhibitions and performances, while the Zlín Philharmonic Orchestra is a key musical institution.

Transport

The city is a significant road and rail junction in eastern Moravia. Major road connections include the D55 motorway linking it to Olomouc and the Czech-Slovak border, and the I/49 highway. The main railway station provides direct lines to Otrokovice, Přerov, and Vsetín. Public transport within the city is served by a network of buses and trolleybuses, one of the few such systems in the country. For air travel, the city is served by the Zlín Airport in nearby Otrokovice, which handles small aircraft and charter flights.

Notable people

Many influential figures are associated with the city, primarily through the Bata Shoes enterprise, including its founder Tomáš Baťa, his brother Jan Antonín Baťa, and architect František Lydie Gahura who designed much of the city's core. In arts and culture, notable individuals include film directors Karel Zeman and Elmar Klos, actress Libuše Šafránková, and Olympic athlete Emil Zátopek who trained here. The chemist Otto Wichterle, inventor of soft contact lenses, was born in the nearby town of Prostějov but had strong professional ties to local industry.

Category:Cities and towns in the Czech Republic Category:Zlín Region