Masaryk Square in Uherské Hradiště — Online Webcam

Masaryk Square in Uherské Hradiště

In the very heart of Uherské Hradiště, a town with a seven-hundred-year history in southeastern Czechia, lies the spacious Masaryk Square — a place where medieval urban planning, Baroque architecture, and modern city life intertwine. This online camera broadcasts a live stream from the cobbled square, where historic facades stand alongside colorful market fair pavilions. If you are planning a trip through Moravia or are simply interested in Czech architecture, the real-time webcam will let you see this space in all its splendor — from the Baroque fountain to the clock tower rising above the tiled roofs.

From Kunovice to the Present Day: History of the Square

The history of this place dates back to the era of Great Moravia, when a large early medieval agglomeration existed on the territory of the present-day town. However, as an urban space, the square took shape later, when Uherské Hradiště was founded in 1257 by King Přemysl Ottokar II. The settlement was originally called Nový Velehrad, and the square we see today was known in the Middle Ages as Kunovské (Kunovské náměstí) — named after the first settlers, migrants from Kunovice.

For a long time, the square remained the center of the town's craft and trade life. Fairs were held here, wooden stalls lined the square, and the facades of burghers' houses defined the character of the space. The modern architectural ensemble began to take shape in the 17th century, when monumental stone buildings appeared on the square, many of which have survived to this day. The square was named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia, in the 20th century, becoming a symbol of the new statehood.

Architectural Dominants: Church, Town Hall, Fountain

The main vertical accent of the square is the Parish Church of St. Francis Xavier, built in 1670–1685. This massive Baroque church dominates the town's skyline; its facade and interiors reflect the influence of the Italian architectural tradition characteristic of Moravian Baroque. The church remains an active parish church and is simultaneously a key landmark attracting tourists to Uherské Hradiště.

On the opposite side of the square stands a building that is now taken for the town hall but was originally built as a municipal savings bank. Built in 1891–1893 to designs by Brno architects Vojtěch Dvořák and Karl Wels, it is an example of Neo-Renaissance architecture with characteristic atlantes supporting the cornice. The facade is adorned with rustication, arched windows, and decorative details typical of the late 19th century.

The central part of the square is decorated by a Baroque fountain (kašna) — a typical element of Moravian town squares from the 17th–18th centuries. It once served as a source of drinking water for the townspeople; today it is a historical artifact and a popular photo spot. Near the fountain stand the buildings of the former "Reduta" gymnasium, the Jesuit college (now a tourist information center), and the old "At the Golden Crown" pharmacy — all forming a dense historic built environment that contrasts with the open space of the square itself.

Life of the Square: Fairs, Cafés, Cobblestones

Masaryk Square is not an open-air museum but a living public space. As centuries ago, people trade, meet, and relax here. The colorful market pavilions and stalls visible in the webcam frame are part of the tradition of regular fairs held on the square. White, blue, red, green, and brown awnings create a colorful carpet against the backdrop of the strict cobblestones, along which pedestrians stroll unhurriedly.

To the right in the frame are café terraces with outdoor furniture and umbrellas, where locals and tourists sip coffee while watching the life of the square. This is a typically Czech tradition — spending an hour or two over a cup of melange outdoors, discussing the news or simply admiring the architecture. Trees planted around the perimeter provide shade on hot days, and retro-style street lamps illuminate the square in the evening, creating a cozy atmosphere.

An interesting detail: Masaryk Square is connected to the neighboring Mariánské Square (Mariánské náměstí) by Prostřední (Middle) Street, which was deliberately made narrow so it could be easily blocked in case of conflicts between the two ethnic groups: the Kunovice settlers and the old-town residents. Today these medieval relics are forgotten, but the layout still preserves the memory of past tensions.

How to Get to Masaryk Square

Uherské Hradiště is located in the Zlín Region of Czechia, approximately 250 kilometers east of Prague. You can reach it by train from Prague, Brno, or Ostrava — the railway station is within walking distance of the historic center. By car from Prague, take the D1 highway to the Zlín exit, then follow regional roads to Uherské Hradiště.

Masaryk Square lies at the very heart of the town's pedestrian zone. If you arrive by car, parking can be found on streets adjacent to the center or in organized parking lots near the train station. From the railway station to the square is about a 10–15 minute walk through typically Moravian lanes with two-story houses and tiled roofs.

For those who want to see the square before their trip, the real-time online camera is an ideal way to assess the situation: how busy the pedestrian zone is, whether market stalls are set up, and what the weather conditions are like. This is especially useful during the Christmas market season or during town festivals, when the square becomes the epicenter of events.

What Is Visible on the Camera

The webcam is mounted at an elevated position and covers most of Masaryk Square with its adjacent streets. In the center of the frame is the cobbled space where a fair is set up: dozens of market pavilions and stalls in various colors — white, blue, red, green, and brown — create a colorful pattern on the gray stone. Pedestrians walk across the square, and part of the space is occupied by parked cars and a van.

In the right portion of the frame rises the clock tower — one of the town's architectural dominants. Historic buildings with characteristic red tiled roofs frame the space, creating a typically Moravian ambiance. To the right are café terraces with outdoor furniture and umbrellas — here one can observe the unhurried life of the town. Trees and street lamps are also visible on the square, illuminating the space with soft light in the evening.

The live stream allows you to see Masaryk Square in real time — from the morning quiet, when market stalls are just beginning to open, to the evening bustle, when townspeople fill the cafés and stroll along the cobblestones. This is one of those cases where a webcam conveys not just a picture but the atmosphere of a living European town with centuries of history.