# Otrokovice

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Town in Zlín, Czech Republic

Otrokovice Town Church of Saint Adalbert Flag Coat of arms Otrokovice Location in the Czech Republic Coordinates: 49°12′36″N 17°31′51″E / 49.21000°N 17.53083°E / 49.21000; 17.53083 Country Czech Republic Region Zlín District Zlín First mentioned 1141 Government • Mayor Hana Večerková (ANO) Area • Total 19.63 km2 (7.58 sq mi) Elevation 190 m (620 ft) Population (2026-01-01)[1] • Total 17,239 • Density 878.2/km2 (2,275/sq mi) Time zone UTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST) Postal code 765 02 Website www.otrokovice.cz

**Otrokovice** (Czech pronunciation: [\[ˈotrokovɪtsɛ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Czech); [German](/source/German_language): *Otrokowitz*) is a town in [Zlín District](/source/Zl%C3%ADn_District) in the [Zlín Region](/source/Zl%C3%ADn_Region) of the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic). It has about 17,000 inhabitants. It lies at the confluence of the [Morava](/source/Morava_(river)) and [Dřevnice](/source/D%C5%99evnice) rivers and is known as an industrial centre, with a tradition in the production of shoes and tyres.

## Administrative division

Otrokovice consists of two municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):[2]

- Otrokovice (12,391)

- Kvítkovice (4,740)

## Etymology

The town's name is derived from the word *otrok*, meaning 'child' or 'juvenile' in old Czech (instead of 'slave' in modern Czech). There are several theories as how the name originated. Otrokovice may have been owned by an immature owner in the distant past, or the settlement could be established as property for some of the children of the owner of the surrounding lands.[3]

## Geography

Otrokovice is located about 8 kilometres (5 mi) west of [Zlín](/source/Zl%C3%ADn). The eastern part of the municipal territory lies in the [Vizovice Highlands](/source/Vizovice_Highlands) and the western part lies in the southern tip of the [Upper Morava Valley](/source/Upper_Morava_Valley). The highest point is at 325 m (1,066 ft) above sea level. The town lies at the confluence of the [Morava](/source/Morava_(river)) and [Dřevnice](/source/D%C5%99evnice) rivers, and the Mojena Stream. The Morava forms the western border of the municipal territory.

## History

The first written mention of Otrokovice is in a deed of bishop [Jindřich Zdík](/source/Jind%C5%99ich_Zd%C3%ADk) from 1141. Until 1570, it was a part of the [Malenovice](/source/Malenovice_Castle) estate. Between 1570 and 1649, it was a separate estate and a fortress, which served as the manor house, was built. From 1649, Otrokovice estate was merged with [Napajedla](/source/Napajedla) estate and remained its part until the abolishment of [manorialism](/source/Manorialism) in 1848. The manor house was demolished before 1767.[4]

A railway through Otrokovice was buil in 1841.[3] A railway station was not established until 1882. Important for the development of Otrokovice was the construction of a new railway Otrokovice–Zlín–[Vizovice](/source/Vizovice) in 1899.[4]

The fastest development of Otrokovice occurred in the 1930s, after [Tomáš Baťa](/source/Tom%C3%A1%C5%A1_Ba%C5%A5a) bought land here and had built auxiliary plants and aircraft production of his [Bata company](/source/Bata_Corporation). A modern industrial district called Baťov was built, and the municipality was renamed Baťov for several years. In 1960, the municipalities of Otrokovice and Kvítkovice were merged. Otrokovice became a town in 1964. In the following decades, further industrial expansion occurred.[4]

## Demographics

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% 1869 1,351 — 1880 1,489 +10.2% 1890 1,545 +3.8% 1900 1,629 +5.4% 1910 1,752 +7.6% Year Pop. ±% 1921 1,927 +10.0% 1930 2,645 +37.3% 1950 8,929 +237.6% 1961 10,486 +17.4% 1970 11,925 +13.7% Year Pop. ±% 1980 18,082 +51.6% 1991 20,267 +12.1% 2001 19,261 −5.0% 2011 18,343 −4.8% 2021 17,131 −6.6% Source: Censuses[5][6]

## Economy

In past the town was significantly connected with the [Bata company](/source/Bata_Corporation) which owned multiple local industries including the large shoe factory that created its initial wealth.

[Continental Barum](/source/Barum_(company)) has a manufacturing facility in Otrokovice and is the largest employer with headquarters in the Zlín Region. This tyre producer was founded in 1948 by merger of three tyre manufacturers. The company became part of the German [Continental AG](/source/Continental_AG) conglomerate in 1993.[7]

Another important manufacturing sites are the large TOMA Industrial Zone where various companies of various industries are located, and [Zlin Aircraft](/source/Zlin_Aircraft) that operates from the airfield next to the Barum factory.

## Transport

Otrokovice railway station

The [D55 motorway](/source/D55_motorway) runs through the town. The I/49 road splits from it and connects Otrokovice with Zlín.

Otrokovice is a major railway junction of the Zlín Region.[3] [Otrokovice railway station](/source/Otrokovice_railway_station) lies on the railway of national importance and has connection to main Czech cities. It is located on the lines [Prague](/source/Prague)–[Luhačovice](/source/Luha%C4%8Dovice) and [Brno](/source/Brno)–[Olomouc](/source/Olomouc) (further continuing to Poland, Slovakia and Hungary).[8]

Otrokovice has a regular bus service, linking main areas of the town. The town operates a transport company together with the neighbouring city of [Zlín](/source/Zl%C3%ADn). [Trolleybus](/source/Trolleybus) line connects Otrokovice with Zlín.[9]

In addition to the conventional modes of transport, Otrokovice is also equipped with a private domestic airport and a wharf at the Morava River.

## Sights

*Společenský dům*

Tomáš Baťa statue

*Společenský dům* (i.e. "Social House") is architecturally the most valuable building from the Baťa's era.[4] It was designed by [Vladimír Karfík](/source/Vladim%C3%ADr_Karf%C3%ADk) and built in 1936. This functionalist building serves today as a hotel and is protected as a cultural monument.[10]

The Church of Saint Michael the Archangel is located on the town square in the original centre of Otrokovice. It was built as a chapel in 1769 and expanded into a church a hundred years later.[11]

The Church of Saint Adalbert was built in 1995 and is modern landmark of the town.[4]

The statue of St. [John of Nepomuk](/source/John_of_Nepomuk) on the town square was created in 1823. The statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Kvítkovice comes from 1723. According to legend, the statue in Kvítkovice was originally in Otrokovice and was bought for beer.[12]

The statue of Tomáš Baťa is cast from the original located in the English [Tilbury](/source/Tilbury). There is also a memorial to the site of the plane crash in Otrokovice, when Tomáš Baťa died in 1932.[13]

## Notable people

- [Josef Odložil](/source/Josef_Odlo%C5%BEil) (1938–1993), athlete, Olympic medalist

- [Pavel Svojanovský](/source/Pavel_Svojanovsk%C3%BD) (1943–2024), rower, Olympic medalist

- [Oldřich Svojanovský](/source/Old%C5%99ich_Svojanovsk%C3%BD) (born 1946), rower, Olympic medalist

- [Pavel Valoušek](/source/Pavel_Valou%C5%A1ek) (born 1979), rally driver

- [Jan Kameník](/source/Jan_Kamen%C3%ADk) (born 1982), football manager

- [Pavla Gajdošíková](/source/Pavla_Gajdo%C5%A1%C3%ADkov%C3%A1) (born 1991), actress

- [Jakub Jugas](/source/Jakub_Jugas) (born 1992), footballer

## Twin towns – sister cities

See also: [List of twin towns and sister cities in the Czech Republic](/source/List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_the_Czech_Republic)

Otrokovice is [twinned](/source/Sister_city) with:[14]

- [Dubnica nad Váhom](/source/Dubnica_nad_V%C3%A1hom), Slovakia

- [Partizánske](/source/Partiz%C3%A1nske), Slovakia

- [Vác](/source/V%C3%A1c), Hungary

- [Zawadzkie](/source/Gmina_Zawadzkie), Poland

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Population in municipalities as at 1. 1"](https://data.csu.gov.cz/datastat/data/VYBER/OBY02AT02). *DataStat*. [Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office). 2026-05-18.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Public Census 2021 – basic data"](https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4690&katalog=33475&pvo=SLD21043-CO). *Public Database* (in Czech). [Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office). 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-zldenik_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-zldenik_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-zldenik_3-2) ["Otrokovice nepojmenoval otrok, ale patrně malé dítě"](https://zlinsky.denik.cz/zpravy_region/otrokovice-nepojmenoval-otrok-ale-patrne-male-dite.html). *Deník.cz* (in Czech). 2010-04-22. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-history_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-history_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-history_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-history_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-history_4-4) ["Historie města"](https://www.otrokovice.cz/vismo/osnova.asp?id_org=11673&id_osnovy=1749) (in Czech). Město Otrokovice. Retrieved 2025-09-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Historický lexikon obcí České republiky 1869–2011"](https://csu.gov.cz/produkty/historicky-lexikon-obci-1869-az-2015) (in Czech). [Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office). 2015-12-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Population Census 2021: Population by sex"](https://vdb.czso.cz/vdbvo2/faces/en/index.jsf?page=vystup-objekt-parametry&z=T&f=TABULKA&sp=A&skupId=4429&katalog=33515&pvo=SLD21001-OB-OK). *Public Database*. [Czech Statistical Office](/source/Czech_Statistical_Office). 2021-03-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The history of Barum: How it all began"](https://www.barum-tyres.com/car/about-barum/history). Continental AG. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Station details Otrokovice"](https://www.cd.cz/en/stanice/otrokovice/35575). [České dráhy](/source/%C4%8Cesk%C3%A9_dr%C3%A1hy). Retrieved 2026-05-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Historie MHD"](https://www.dszo.cz/zabava/historie-mhd/) (in Czech). Dopravní společnost Zlín-Otrokovice, s.r.o. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Společenský dům"](http://tic-otrokovice.cz/spolecensky-dum/) (in Czech). Tourist Information Centre Otrokovice. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Kostel sv. Michaela"](http://tic-otrokovice.cz/kostel-sv-michaela/) (in Czech). Tourist Information Centre Otrokovice. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Otrokovice"](http://tic-otrokovice.cz/otrokovice/) (in Czech). Tourist Information Centre Otrokovice. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Otrokovice"](http://www.ic-zlin.cz/wcd/pages/atraktivity/po-stopach-t-bati/stopami-batu-brozura-celek/po-stopach-batu_brozuraa5_160x160_nahled-celek.pdf) (PDF). City Information and Tourist Center Zlín. pp. 18, 53. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Partnerská města"](https://www.otrokovice.cz/partnerska-mesta/ms-1047/) (in Czech). Město Otrokovice. Retrieved 2025-08-27.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Otrokovice](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Otrokovice).

- [Official website](https://www.otrokovice.cz/)

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Authority control databases International VIAF National Czech Republic 2

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Otrokovice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otrokovice) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otrokovice?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.