Napajedla
If you drive from Otrokovice to Uherské Hradiště, you will see only the Fatra factory in Napajedla, while the small town remains hidden across the river. It's a pity, because the town offers diverse architecture, the picturesque New Monastery, which houses the Museum Napajedla with its popular Toy playground exhibition, excellent cafés and restaurants. And also Bata's industrial heritage. Napajedla is one of the factory satellite towns, the so-called "Little Zlín".
Little Zlíns
The Little Zlíns are Bata's satellite towns, which were built all over the country and later in the world on the principles of the Bata factories in Zlín. In addition to their moderate and efficient architectural rules, they also brought a new approach to work, housing and life to the regions. The Batamen built more than 30 towns around the world.
The Fatra factory in Napajedla follows the Zlín model precisely. The round reinforced concrete columns with brick infill and the familiar 6.15 x 6.15 m structure are absolutely unmistakable, as are the brick houses scattered nearby.
In 1935, the Bata Company opened a factory for gas masks and rubber protective clothing here. It was the first company in the whole of Czechoslovakia that worked with plastics at that time. Thanks to this, in 1948 the first plastic toys were also produced. And together with them, a story of great design that goes beyond the borders of the region and our country.
Although plastic toys had been produced in Fatra for some time, it was the Zlín designer Libuše Niklová who breathed life into them. Literally. In addition to classic toys, she designed inflatable toys that have found their way into the bedrooms and hearts of many generations. A red buffalo, a blue elephant, a yellow giraffe, an orange horse and many other unique pieces belong to the icons of Czech design, receiving valuable awards also abroad.
Today, you can find Libuše Niklová's toys in the Museum Napajedla in the Toy playground exhibition located in a sensitively renovated building of the local monastery. There are also interesting exhibitions about the Fatra factory, about industry in the town and other short-term exhibitions, which are always a great experience.
In the New Monastery you will find the Café Klášter with a pleasant summer garden and a great selection of coffee, just a few steps from the Chateau Napajedla, the beautiful neo-Renaissance town hall or the wharf, where you can board a boat and take a cruise on the Bata Canal.
Where to go next for "Little Zlíns"
- Read our tips for trips and visit other Bata towns, not only in the Czech Republic.
- Visit Baťov in Otrokovice, which is located nearby.
Opening hours
Information Centre Napajedla
MON closed
TUE, THU 9AM–12PM, 1PM–5PM
WED, FRI 1PM–4PM
WED, FRI June–September 9AM–12PM, 1PM–4PM
SAT closed
SAT June–September 9AM–12PM, 1PM–5PM
SUN 1PM–5PM
