Kroměříž (; ) is a town in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 28,000 inhabitants. It is known for the Kroměříž Castle with castle gardens, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town centre with the castle complex is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument reservation. Administrative parts Villages of Bílany, Drahlov, Hradisko, Kotojedy, Postoupky, Těšnovice, Trávník, Vážany and Zlámanka are administrative parts of Kroměříž. Geography Kroměříž is located about northwest of Zlín. About two thirds of the municipal territory lies in the Litenčice Hills, eastern part lies in the Upper Morava Valley. A small southern part extends into the Chřiby mountain range. The highest point of the territory is the hill Obora with an elevation of . The town is situated on both banks of the Morava River. History The first written mention of Kroměříž (under its Latin name Cromezir) is in a document written between 1107 and 1125, when the settlement was bought by Olomouc bishop Jan II. Some sources cite a deed of another Olomouc bishop Jindřich Zdík from 1141 as the first unquestionable written mention of Kroměříž. In the Middle Ages, it was a market village on the crossroads of the Amber and Salt roads. It was located at a ford across the Morava where the toll was collected. In the 13th century, Kroměříž became the centre of dominion owned by Olomouc bishopric. The Knights Hospitaller settled here and had built a church and a commandery in 1238. In 1241 and 1253, Kroměříž was looted by raids by the Tatars, Cumans and Hungarians. The settlement depopulated and had to be colonized. Kroměříž is last referred to as a market village in a document by Ottokar II of Bohemia from 1256. After 1256, the Olomouc bishop Bruno von Schauenburg came to power over Kroměříž. He took care of it and fundamentally contributed to its development. He founded the market square on the hill above the original settlement and had surrounded it with walls. He also had the Church of Saint Maurice built and had vineyards planted around the settlement. In 1266, Kroměříž was first referred to as a town. In 1322, Jews were allowed to settle in the town. In the mid-16th century, the Kroměříž Jewish community was the largest serf Jewish community in Moravia. The bishops protected the community for the income flowing from it. During