In the area of the town several localities have been discovered which were settled in prehistory. Of these the most important one is called Pohansko southeast of the town, that became a significant grad in Great Moravian times. In the 10th century it was abandoned; today there is an archaeological site with an exhibition.
There was originally a market town by the castle, which was destroyed in the 15th century and then refounded closer to the castle ; the original spot has been called Old Břeclav since that time. Both the market town and village of Old Břeclav were badly damaged in battles during the 17th century. The opening of a railway to Vienna and Brno in 1839 represented an important event, that brought industrialisation and population growth: from 2,952 inhabitants in 1834 to 13,689 in 1930. As a consequence, Břeclav obtained town status, becoming the seat of the judicial and political district. In 1919 three original municipalities merged ; in 1974 another two - Poštorná and Charvátská Nová Ves - were joined. In 1938-1945 Břeclav was a part of Nazi Germany, although the town's population was mostly Czech-speaking. Local Jews and Germans were expelled both during and after World War II.
Transport
is an important hub in the railroad network. It is located at the intersection of the routes to and from Brno - Prague, Ostrava - Kraków/Katowice, Kúty - Bratislava and Hohenau an der March - Vienna. In addition, a local railway to Znojmo also branches out from the station. The D2 motorway, linking Brno with the Slovak border, and further with Bratislava, passes close to the town.
Geography and climate
Břeclav lies in a very flat river valley which is the warmest part of Moravia and whole Czech Republic. There is wild thick riparian forestcomposed of broad leaved trees in the southern corner of town's surroundings, ending in the southernmost part of Moravia, where confluence of rivers Thaya and Moravia can be found. Average year temperature is with average temperature in July reaching and average temperature in January decreasing to. Local climate is warm, with cool, dry, and short winter season starting in first weeks of December and ending in the second half of February. Warm and sunny spring comes in the end of February continuing to May when wetter and moderately hot summer starts, being itself replaced by drier and cooler autumn during end of September.
Sights
A Renaissance castle from the 16th century with an arcade on the courtyard; during the first half of the 19th century it was completely rebuilt as Neo-Gothic artificial ruins
