Blansko
Welcome back to the Illyrian Empire. Today's entry is about Blansko, a large metropolis in the western extremity of the Kingdom of Lodomeria (one of the five constituent states of the Illyrian Empire). It is the capital city of Lodomeria and the third most populous city in the Empire. According to the Illyrian Statistical Institute, as of 2011 the city of Blansko had a population of 3,683,867 and its metropolitan municipality 4,966,948.
The city's history is rather unlike most of the Illyrian cities. Although it was founded somewhere in the 11th century, until 1820 the city was neither important (with a population of under 5,000) nor was it the capital of Lodomeria. It was in this year that construction began of an harbour which would grow to become one the most important harbours in the Empire. Within 35 years the city would greatly expand and its population would increase to over 300,000 by 1867 when it became the capital city of the Kingdom of Lodomeria. Because of this rapid expansion the historic city centre is the second largest in the Empire and constitutes over 20 times the area the original town. Now, let's do some sightseeing.
First stop is the original town which as you can see is rather small.
The original town has an almost circular form. To the left is the old city park with Blansko's second city hall from 1825 (green roofed building).
One of the first expansions was realised to the north of the old town and consists of King's Square which marks the start of the Imperial Boulevard, Blansko's largest and most impressive street. On the bottom the original Imperial Theatre (its function was later replaced by the Imperial Opera which was built further down the Boulevard).
The cathedral on the Imperial Boulevard built between 1845 and 1861.
The Imperial Opera, on the crossing of the Imperial Boulevard and Lodomeria Boulevard (latter not visible here).
The old port buildings on the site of the original harbour, now replaced by an extensive marina.
The marine and seaside boulevards.
The Empire Square with the national monument of Emperor Ferdinand IV built in 1873.
An overview of the latter area with Empire Square on top and the Imperial Boulevard at the bottom.
The section of the city center south of the old town.
The Imperial Boulevard with the Imperial Opera and the New City Hall from 1873-1878 (large building to the left).
And a small intermezzo about Blansko's many city halls. In total there are four with increasing sizes reflecting the growth of the city. Top right the Old Town Hall from 1576, rebuilt in 1743 and in use untill 1825 (largest building with red roof). Top left the Old City Hall in use from 1825 until 1853. Bottom right the city hall whihc was in use from 1853 until 1878 (now the Museum of the City of Blansko) and bottom left the New City Hall in use from 1878 until the present day.
Surrounding the Imperial Boulevard and the Old Town are several old neigbourhoods from the 1830s until the 1890s.
University hospital. The old brown building form the original hospital from the 1880s and now serve as the psychiatric department. All other hospital buildings date from the 1950s until the 1970s.
The Lodomerain parliament building.
The new harbour.
And the modern business districts.
One of Blansko's main attractions is Blansko Central Park. It is actually the grounds of the national Illyrian fair and was founded in the 1880s on the site of the gardens of the imperial summer palace of Blansko from the 18th century. First up the palace itself.
And some views of the national fair grounds.
And finally some overviews of the city.
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