Brno, << BUR noh >> (pop. 398,510), or Brunn, is the second largest city in the Czech Republic. Only Prague has more people. Brno ranks as the chief city of Moravia, a region that lies in the eastern part of the country.
Brno is a manufacturing center that produces automobiles, chemicals, iron and steel, leather goods, machinery, and textiles. The Czech Supreme Court meets in Brno. The Spilberk fortress stands on a hill overlooking the city. During the 1800’s, the Austrian rulers who controlled the area imprisoned many of their political opponents in this fortress. Brno was founded in the 800’s.
