The city of Slavkov by Brno, known the world over as Austerlitz, is located in the region of the Vyskov Gate (South Moravian), lies on the left bank of the river Litava, about 20 kilometres from Brno. Thanks to its past Slavkov fills an important part of European history.

The oldest written reference of the town appears in King’s Wenceslav document from the year 1237. Another important moment in the history of Slavkov is the year 1416, when the King Wenceslav IV. gave this town a seal and heraldry, which is the oldest heraldry privilege in the Czech countries.

A dominant of the town is a baroque chateau, which construction was projected by Italian architect Domenico Martinelli from Lucca at the end of the 17th century for Moravian family of Kounic. Adjacent park of the area of 16 hectares belongs to the most important historical gardens in the South Moravia. Rich sculptural decoration is the work of Italian sculptor Giovanni Giuliani.

The Castle of Slavkov is famous not only for its beautiful architecture but also for its relationship to the Battle of Three Emperors in early December 1805. Only day before the battle, the splendid chateau of Kounic became the residence for both allied emperors, Francis II and Alexander I. On 2nd December, 1805, in the area between Telnice and Tvarožná, the allied armies encountered Napoleon, who delivered to them a crushing defeat, winning perhaps his most famous and precious victory, which was also the final point of the entire war campaign that year.
Characteristics and development of the historical museum in Slavkov u Brna began in the 1920s, when the town museum was created. In the 1930s, the museum activities in Slavkov were given an important boost with the holding of two Napoleonic exhibitions and so-called Napoleonic plays, the predecessors of the contemporary memorial events for the anniversary of the battle at Slavkov. The intention of the organisers was to create a museum that would be systematically engaged in the Napoleonic issue.
In 1976 a new permanent exhibition, Napoleon and the battle at Slavkov, was opened on the ground floor of the manor's northern wing. In 1987 the State manor was transferred to the administration of the Historical Museum and since then the Museum has also been running the manor's exhibitions and providing tours and rentals of the manor.
In the middle of the 1990s the manor's interiors were modified and a new manor exhibition was installed. In 1995 the Minister of Culture decided to transfer the Historical Museum including its collections to the property of the town.
In the field of historical research, the museum particularly focuses on the theme of the French revolution and the Napoleonic wars, then also on the history of the Kounic family and of the town of Slavkov and its surroundings. The museum has at its disposal a large and constantly supplemented library focused on the Napoleonic theme. Also planned is a study centre focusing on the period of the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries and the Napoleonic wars. Further, the Museum also keeps a technical library and library of non-fiction supplemented with the works of the members of the Club of non-fiction authors in Prague.
The Baroque manor in Slavkov u Brna is a sought-after place for holding concerts, congresses, seminaries, conferences, company meetings, festive banquets, receptions etc. Accompanying programme includes welcome by historical persons in period costumes, manor tours in costumes, period music, performance of historic soldiers, shooting from historic weapons, carriage rides in the park, fashion show (period costumes or contemporary clothes, underwear, etc.), artistic exhibitions in the galleries O. K. and HOLLAR, souvenirs from the souvenir shop, cimbalom music, dance music, fireworks.

Slavkov´s history also involves other important buildings you can see on your walk through the town.

The square is from the north side closed by the Classicist church of Lord’s Resurrection by the architect Ferninand Hetzendorf from Hohenberk built in 1786 – 1789. It is a technically challenging structure built on a swampy area on oak piles.
The Renaissance Town Hall from 1592 still incorporates the former town holding cells. The Renaissance portal of the bricked – up entrance can be seen from Husova Street.
The Chapel of Saint John the Baptist from 1743 is, together with the building of former hospital, incorporated to the architectural design of the cemetery. The family tomb of Kounic, the last resting place of the most eminent member of this family, Wenceslav Anthony of Kounic, is located under this chapel.
The Mansion originating in the 16th century is one of the oldest buildings in Slavkov.
Jewish synagogue, which got its present – day form during the reconstruction in 1858, is the proof of the existence of Jewish community in our town.

The town of Slavkov offers its visitors many cultural, social and sport facilities. Exhibitions of contemporary art can one visit in OK gallery and Gallery Hollar, which are situated in the chateau complex. Concerts of classical music take place in the Historical hall and in the chateau chapel of Saint Cross.
Those who prefer active relaxation can visit swimming pool with beachvolleyball courts and also stadium where tennis and volleyball courts, football field and athletic run are situated. One can use services of modern shooting range right in the rooms of Slavkov chateau casemates. A golf course, which occupies a part of the chateau park, is here not only for “green sport” fans, but for wide public as well.

The Municipality of Slavkov u Brna organises every year a significant program of cultural activities developing the rich cultural heritage of its region. The events cover important categories of culture (music, theatre, dance, painting, etc)
The numerous cultural, social and sporting events held in Slavkov every year follow the town's rich cultural tradition, supporting the principal orientation of the centre towards continuous progress of tourism in the area.

The Town of Slavkov u Brna is also a member of a society called Mohyla míru – Austerlitz, o.p.s., where among others, 18 members are the municipalities from the area of the battlefield of the famous Battle of Three Emperors. This society takes care about this protected zone and organizes activities concerning this part of Napoleonic history.
During this period till 2005 one of the main targets is the preparation of the 200th Anniversary of the Battle in 2005.

Partner towns

Slavkov u Brna has a longtime partnership with four European towns, Horn (Austria), Darney (France), Zeist – Austerlitz (Netherlands) and Slawkow (Poland). The common cooperation includes organizing culture activities (concerts, exhibitions, etc.), sport activities, reciprocal visits of children, students and other citizens, exchange of experience between the clerks of municipalities and many others.