Conference venue

The conference will be held in the new building of Faculty of Science of Palacký University in Olomouc.



Address

17. listopadu 1192/12
771 46 Olomouc
Czech Republic

GPS

49°35'32.641"N, 17°15'48.6"E

Useful web links

Web site of the Faculty of Science of Palacky University in Olomouc

Conference venue on Seznam Maps

Conference venue on Google Maps

 

Brief History of Palacký University

Olomouc is a prominent centre of education and culture. The history of higher education in Olomouc began in 1566, when a Jesuit college was established here. In 1573 this college was granted University rights, identical with those of other European institutions of higher education.

The University of Olomouc, the second oldest university in the Czech lands (after Charles University in Prague), spread its influence not only through Moravia and Silesia, but also in Austria, Germany, Poland, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

Jesuits governed the University for two hundred years and the Faculty of Theology played a central role in its life. Later the Faculty of Philosophy was established, where natural sciences were also studied.

The era of the Old University is associated with the names of numerous outstanding scientists - for example Jakub Kresa (the "Euclid of the West"), Gregor Mendel, the founder of genetics, and the astronomer Karel Slavíček (who also worked for the Chinese Emperor). The famous general, Duke Albrecht of Wallenstein, was also a student of the University.

After the Jesuit order was abolished in 1773, the University was secularised. It was moved to Brno in 1778 and in 1782 it returned to Olomouc as a mere lyceum. In 1872 the Emperor Franz decided to restore the University and it was named in his honour - Franzens University.

In 1848 the University teachers and students took an active part in the Revolution and their legions supported the uprising in Vienna. The result was that the University fell into disfavour with the monarchy and from 1851 on it was gradually reduced, and finally abolished altogether by a Decree of 1860.

The Faculty of Theology continued its work independently and, together with the University Library, kept up the tradition of higher education in Olomouc.  On the 21st of February, 1946 the University was re-established and was named Palacký University.

František Palacký - known as "the father of the nation" (born 1798 in Hodslavice in Moravia, died 1876 in Prague) - was a national revivalist, an enlightened scientist, critic and aesthetician, politician and outstanding historian. Although there was no direct connection between Palacký and Olomouc, his work was so influential that it is a great honour for Olomouc University to bear his name.

Gradually faculties of Theology, Medicine, Philosophy and Education were established and in 1947 the university was ceremonially opened. Prof. Dr. Josef Ludvík Fischer (1894 - 1973), a renowned philosopher and sociologist, was appointed its first Rector. He conceived the idea of a top-ranking university based on the West European model.

The November revolution in 1989 brought about the beginning of the third and the most important period in the history of higher education in Olomouc. The University is re-entering Europe and the whole world and is creating many international links and promoting the exchange of ideas.

 

The city of Olomouc

Olomouc had always been among the most important cities of the Kingdom of Bohemia. With its convenient location, ancient university and spiritual, cultural and craft traditions Olomouc has been for centuries a natural centre of Moravia, attractive to artists, intellectuals and businessmen. The following information is taken from the Olomouc tourist portal, where more relevant information can be found.

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE CITY

Climate

The lowland of the Haná region, in whose centre Olomouc is located, is one of the warmest areas in the country. The climate is very pleasant without dramatic shifts in temperature. In spring and autumn daytime temperatures are usually between 15-20 °C and in summer at about 25 °C, days with temperatures around 30 °C are quite common as well. The coldest winter month is January with an average temperature of -1 to -4 °C. It snows a few times during the winter and temperatures below -10 ° C are recorded occasionally. For more information about the climate please click here.

Geography

The city of Olomouc lies at the confluence of two rivers - the Morava and the Bystřice. The flat character of the town is demarked by a distinctive, elevated relief in the west and especially in the east, so the city is enclosed into an elongated depression open towards northwest and southeast.

  • Area: 10 337 ha
  • Altitude (the city centre): 219 m a.s.l.
  • Coordinates (the city centre): 49°45´ N, 17°15´ E

Further geographical data are available here and more information about Olomouc can be found here.

How to get to Olomouc

Olomouc, due to its location right in the middle of Moravia, is easily accessible by road and train. Arriving from Prague you can take the fast motorway via Brno, from Vienna there is also a speedy and comfortable connection on roads and partly motorways via Bratislava and Brno. Olomouc is also conveniently accessible by car from Poland and Slovakia.

By air

Olomouc is easily accessible from all of these airports by train, bus or car. You can also use means of individual transport, which will bring you for a reasonable price from the airport terminal directly to the hotel or to a specified address.

By car

The Czech Republic has a relatively good quality network of highways, through which you can easily get to Olomouc from major destinations such as Prague, Brno, Ostrava and Vienna.

When driving on the highway you will need a road tax vignette. For more information please visit www.ceskedalnice.cz. Click here for information on parking in the city.

By train

Olomouc is also an important railway junction. Passengers have access to many high-speed trains, like the Intercity and Eurocity trains and passenger trains for regional transport, or the modern Pendolino train which provides a fast and convenient connection to Prague and Ostrava. It takes you from Olomouc to Prague in just two and a half hours. The "yellow" RegioJet trains also offer comfortable travel.

Current information on train connections can be found on www.cd.cz/spojeni. Tickets for the main train routes can be purchased online at www.cd.cz/eshop. Information on passenger trains in the Czech Republic are available for free on the phone number 840 112 113. Contact information on the main train station in Olomouc is to be found on the website of the Czech Railways www.cd.cz.

By bus

Traveling by bus is in most cases cheaper than by train, sometimes also faster. For information about domestic and international timetables, see www.idos.cz.