5 Places in Zlín You Definitely Have to See
Can you imagine building a factory in a small Wallachian valley that would eventually expand to every continent? That cities would spring up around it and railroads would be built? All of this without the internet or computers, using only paper and pencil? Tomáš Baťa achieved just that with his shoe empire. That’s why his hometown of Zlín remains a testament to what it means to believe that “nothing is impossible.” Here are 5 Baťa-related sites in Zlín that you definitely shouldn’t miss. And finally, a little travel tip: the new Baťapas tourist map will guide you through them.
1. Tomáš Baťa Memorial: Crystal-Clear Functionalism
If you only have time for one stop in Zlín, we recommend the Tomáš Baťa Memorial. It stands above the city center, and its crystal-clear glass building attracts architecture enthusiasts from around the world. This bold structure was designed by František Lýdie Gahura as a memorial to the tragic death of Tomáš Baťa in 1932. Inside, you’ll find an almost empty space that highlights the thoughtful symbolic details, as well as a replica of the Junkers F 13 aircraft in which Baťa and his pilot Brouček perished at the airport in nearby Otrokovice.
2. Čipera Villa: An English-Style Mansion in the Middle of a Garden
The recently reopened Čipera Villa is a magnificent example of an executive villa in the style of an English country estate. Designed by architect Vladimír Karfík for Baťa executive Dominik Čipera, it served as a children’s home until recently. Today, it houses the Zlín Region’s creative center, featuring an exhibition on life in the villa, and it remains one of the few architectural gems discovered in the entire region so far. Hurry, before the crowds arrive.
3. 14|15 Baťa Institute
What kind of tour of Zlín would it be without a visit to the factories? Two of them—specifically Buildings 14 and 15, right next to the train station—have undergone a sensitive renovation and now house a library, a museum, and a gallery. We recommend visiting here with the Baťa Pass, which gives you a 20% discount on the standard admission fee. It’s valid for the +-Zlín exhibition at the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín and the Baťa Principle exhibition, which takes you on a journey through the Baťa empire—from the verpánek to airplanes.
4. Tomáš Baťa’s Villa: The Boss’s Villa and a Source of Inspiration for Baťa
It is said of Baťa’s villa that the only place from which the factory cannot be seen is the bedroom. Figures such as Jan Kotěra, František Lydie Gahura, Vladimír Karfík, František Josef Thomayer, and the painter František Kysela all contributed to the villa’s design. Today, it houses the Tomáš Baťa Foundation, and tours are held on select Saturdays and Sundays. You’ll also find a shop here selling Baťa-themed literature and stylish merchandise, where you can get a 20% discount with your Baťapas.
5. Hotel Tomášov: Coffee with a View of All of Zlín
You can get a glimpse behind the scenes of Zlín at Hotel Tomášov. It originally served as an elite school for select young men—future managers of Baťa branches around the world (known as “Tomášovci”). They were educated here in the spirit of the finest English traditions. Today, the building operates as a hotel and restaurant that sensitively evokes the elegance of the First Republic era. If you show the staff your Baťapas, you’ll get a great cup of coffee completely free to go with this unique view.
