Radnická Street | Brno

Radnická Street is one of the oldest and most significant thoroughfares in the historic center of Brno, Czech Republic. It connects the Cabbage Market (Zelný trh) to the area near Liberty Square and serves as a pedestrian-only corridor housing the city's primary administrative and tourist landmarks.

Visual Characteristics

The street is characterized by its narrow, cobblestone paving and a dense concentration of preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque facades. The dominant visual feature is the elaborate late-Gothic portal of the Old Town Hall, which projects into the street with its famous crooked pinnacle. The architecture is uniform in height, creating a canyon-like effect that opens into the Cabbage Market at its southern terminus.

Location & Access Logistics

Radnická is located in the heart of the Brno-střed district. It is entirely pedestrianized; no private vehicle transit is permitted. Access is via a 5-minute walk from the Brno Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží). The nearest public transport stops are Zelný trh (tram lines 4, 9) and Šilingrovo náměstí (tram lines 5, 12). For those arriving by car, the closest public parking is the Velký Špalíček garage or the Domini park facility.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The street follows the medieval urban plan of Brno, dating back to at least the 13th century. Historically, it was the administrative spine of the city, housing the municipal government and the residences of wealthy burghers and officials. The buildings are constructed primarily of brick and local limestone, with many structures sitting atop a network of medieval cellars and tunnels.

Key Highlights & Activities

The street's primary attraction is the Old Town Hall complex, where visitors pass under the "Brno Dragon" (a 16th-century stuffed crocodile) suspended in the vaulted passage. Visitors can access the Brno Tourist Information Centre, enter the Gallery of the Old Town Hall, or climb the Town Hall tower. The street is also home to the "Labyrinth Under the Vegetable Market" entrance and several small, specialized boutiques and traditional Moravian wine cellars.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Public restrooms and luggage lockers are located within the Old Town Hall at number 8. 5G cellular signal is stable despite the narrowness of the street. The area is dense with infrastructure for tourists, including multilingual information plaques and maps. Multiple cafes, bistros, and restaurants provide outdoor terrace seating during the spring and summer months.

Best Time to Visit

The street is a public thoroughfare and remains open 24 hours a day. However, access to the Old Town Hall interiors and tower is typically restricted to 10:00–18:00. Morning hours (before 10:00) provide the best conditions for architectural photography without high pedestrian traffic. During the Advent season (late November to December), the street is often integrated into the city’s Christmas markets.

Facts & Legends

The street's history is tied to the legend of the "Brno Wheel." According to municipal records, a local wheelwright named Jiří Birk made a bet in 1636 that he could fell a tree, craft a wheel, and roll it from Lednice to Brno (approx. 54km) in a single day. He succeeded, and the wheel remains displayed in the passage of the Old Town Hall on Radnická Street.

Nearby Landmarks

Old Town Hall – 0.01km (located on the street)

Cabbage Market (Zelný trh) – 0.02km South

Parnas Fountain – 0.05km South

Dietrichstein Palace – 0.1km South

Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul – 0.3km Southwest