The Wheel: A Brno Legend at the Old Town Hall

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Discover the legend of the wheel at Brno's Old Town Hall, a symbol of Moravian craftsmanship and local folklore.

The Wheel, displayed at the Old Town Hall in Brno, is a testament to local craftsmanship and a legendary bet. According to the tale, a craftsman from Lednice rolled the wheel 45 km to Brno in under 12 hours to win a wager, a feat some attributed to supernatural assistance.

A brief summary to The Wheel

Radnická 367, Brno-město, 602 00, CZ
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Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Visit the Tourist Information Centre on Radnická Street, located in the Old Town Hall, for maps, souvenirs, and local tips.
Combine your visit with a tour of the Old Town Hall, including the tower for panoramic views of Brno.
Don't miss the other legends of the Old Town Hall, including the Brno Dragon (a crocodile) and the crooked spire.

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Getting There

Walking

The Wheel is located inside the Old Town Hall on Radnická street, in Brno's city center. From the main square, Náměstí Svobody, walk east along Zámečnická street, then turn right onto Radnická street. The Old Town Hall will be on your left. The walk is short and easy, approximately 5 minutes. No costs involved.
Public Transport

From the Brno main train station (Hlavní nádraží), take tram lines 1, 4, 8, 10 or 12 to Šilingrovo náměstí. From there, walk north along Radnická street; the Old Town Hall will be on your right. A single 15-minute ticket costs 20 CZK. Alternatively, you can pay contactlessly by tapping your card on the validator upon entering the tram, which will charge 25 CZK for an hour ticket.
Taxi/Ride-share

Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available in Brno. A short ride from the main train station (Hlavní nádraží) to the Old Town Hall on Radnická street will typically cost between 100-150 CZK, depending on traffic and the specific service. Ensure the meter is running or agree on a price beforehand.

Discover more about The Wheel

The Wheel, prominently displayed within the Old Town Hall (Stará radnice) in Brno, is more than just a historical artifact; it's a symbol of local pride and a reminder of a legendary feat. The Old Town Hall itself dates back to the 13th century and is located near Vegetable Market. The legend of the Brno Wheel tells the story of Georg Birk, a wheel craftsman from Lednice, who made a bet with his friends. He wagered that he could chop down a tree, fashion a wheel from it, and roll it all the way to Brno, a distance of approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles), within a mere 12 hours. The wheel has a diameter of 144 cm. Birk accomplished this seemingly impossible task, though some whispered that he'd received help from the devil. Whether by skill or dark magic, the wheel stands as a symbol of determination and the blurring of the lines between possible and impossible. Today, the wheel hangs in the Old Town Hall as a reminder of this extraordinary event. Interestingly, expert examination revealed that the wheel was not made from fresh wood, not even the wood of a single tree. The Old Town Hall also houses another of Brno's famous symbols: the Brno Dragon, which is actually a crocodile. Legend says that the dragon threatened the city until a clever butcher devised a trap using a lime-filled animal hide.