To spot Mendel Square, look for the broad open space surrounded by trams, buzzing cars, and a big gray building at the center, with crowds moving around in front of you.
Right now, you’re standing at Mendel Square, or as the locals call it, "Mendlák"-the lively heart of Old Brno, where history and modern city life collide in the best possible way. Imagine yourself walking here over a hundred years ago. Across the square, you’d see the grand Starobrno Monastery paired with the towering Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, both quietly watching over everything. Close by, the famous Starobrno Brewery was already bubbling with action! But hang on tight-things didn’t stay peaceful.
Back at the end of the 1950s, Mendel Square was a green area, with a charming little park before the basilica, and a cozy line of old houses closing off the southern side. You could hear the as trams clanged their way along, curving past bakeries, restaurants, even an old tavern-what a deliciously noisy place! Secretly, a covered millstream flowed directly under your feet, keeping the area cool and mysterious.
Everything changed in the early 1960s. The city decided to widen the square. Out came the wrecking balls, and down went those old Brno homes, the Starobrno Town Hall, and even the neighborhood tavern-bye-bye to pints and pies. Out of this chaos, tall gray panel buildings shot up, right before your eyes. The tram lines moved to the middle, the millstream disappeared under pavement, and Mendel Square took on its new, modern look.
But why call it Mendel Square? Here’s the twist-Gregor Mendel, monk and scientist, lived and worked here. This is the place where he played with pea plants and, believe it or not, figured out the basic rules of genetics! Old Brno can proudly say: it helped invent the science of “why you might look like your uncle Bob.” So, next time you munch peas or look in the mirror, remember Mendel Square-the crossroads of Brno’s past, present, and future.
