This Czech industrial city, built by Tomáš Baťa in the early 1900s, is known for its Art Deco buildings and functionalist architecture. Home to the Baťa shoe legacy and museum.
Zlín, a city in eastern Moravia, grew from a small shoe-making town into a remarkable example of 1930s functionalist architecture. You'll find streets lined with distinctive concrete-and-brick buildings, including the 77.5-meter Baťa Skyscraper with its famous mobile office. You can watch films at the Grand Cinema from 1932, explore shoe-making history at the 14|15 Baťa Institute, or spend a day among 1,200 animals at the Lešná Zoo.
Functionalist Architecture of Zlín
Walking through Zlín's streets, you'll see the innovative 1930s architecture in hundreds of standardized concrete-and-brick buildings. Each structure follows the same design principle: a reinforced concrete framework with red brick walls and large metal-framed windows. The 1939 Baťa Skyscraper remains the city's most recognizable building, known for its unique mobile office - an elevator cabin where company executives worked while moving between floors.
Film Culture and Festivals
Every summer, the Zlín Film Festival brings international children's movies to the city. You can watch screenings at the Grand Cinema, a 1932 functionalist building that now includes modern projection technology. The cinema holds 1,010 seats and runs both contemporary films and special festival programs throughout the year.
The 14|15 Baťa Institute
In Building 14, the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts displays rotating exhibitions of Czech artists from the early 20th century to present day. Next door in Building 15, the Shoe Museum tells the story of footwear design through interactive exhibits and historical machinery. You can examine shoes from different time periods and learn about industrial design and manufacturing techniques through the museum's extensive archives.
Exploring Beyond the City
At Lešná Castle, built between 1887 and 1893, you'll find a mix of architectural styles including Neogothic, Neorenaissance, and Neobaroque elements. Inside, you can view historical furniture collections and art exhibitions. The castle grounds include a 74-hectare zoo with over 1,200 animals. For medieval history, visit the 14th-century Malenovice Castle, where you can climb the Gothic tower and explore Renaissance halls with exhibitions about medieval life and regional archaeology.
Transportation and Access
Regular trains connect Zlín with Brno (1 hour 45 minutes), Prague (4 hours 20 minutes), and Vienna (2 hours 20 minutes). The city's bus network serves all 16 districts. Most central attractions lie within walking distance of each other, centered around the former Baťa factory complex.
