Březová (Opava District)

Březová (Briesau) is a market town in Opava District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 1,400 inhabitants.

Administrative parts
The villages of Gručovice, Jančí, Leskovec and Lesní Albrechtice are administrative parts of Březová.

Etymology
The name is derived from the word bříza, i.e. 'birch'.

Geography
Březová is located about 16 km south of Opava and 27 km west of Ostrava. It lies in the Nízký Jeseník range. The highest point is at 537 m above sea level. The Moravice River briefly flows along the northwestern municipal border. The Gručovka Stream originates here and flows around the village to the south.

History
The first written mention of Březová is from 1238. From the mid-14th century until the mid-17th century, it was a town. Since 2018, it has the status of a market town.

Transport
The I/57 road from Opava to Nový Jičín passes through the municipality.

Sights
The main landmark of Březová is the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was built in the Baroque style after 1695. In 1862–1864, it was extended.