in 1963–1990) and extensive demolitions took place in the historic centre. Demographics Economy The city is historically associated with the textile industry. The tradition began already in 1500 when a tailor's guild was founded. In the middle of the 19th century the very first clothing factory in Europe was built here. In 1910, the industry employed 12,000 people. Oděvní podnik Prostějov, the biggest textile company in the country with about 10,000 employees, was founded in 1964. After the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia, the company failed to restructure and adapt to market mechanisms, and went bankrupt in 2010. Nowadays, the tradition is held by several smaller companies. Sport The city is known for the tennis club TK Prostějov, connected with many of the biggest names of the Czech tennis history. Prostějov is home to the football club 1. SK Prostějov, which plays in Czech National Football League (2nd tier), and to the ice hockey club LHK Jestřábi Prostějov, which plays in the 1st Czech Republic Hockey League (2nd tier). Sights The historic centre is formed by the T. G. Masaryka Square and its surroundings, which include several other smaller squares. The central square is lined by burgher houses with Renaissance or Baroque cores, and facades mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. One of the houses is the birthplace of Jiří Wolker, one of the most important natives. The landmark of the square is the city hall from 1911–1914 with a high tower, which is open to the public. In the middle of the square is a Baroque Marian column from 1714. Prostějov Castle on the Pernštýnské Square is one of the most significant buildings in the city. It was reconstructed after 1893 and decorated with modern sgraffito by Jano Köhler. Today it is owned by the city. The Museum and Gallery in Prostějov is located in the former town hall from 1530. The museum has been housed in this Renaissance building since 1905. The National House is a national cultural monument, considered a masterpiece of Czech modernism and Art Nouveau. It dates from 1905–1907. Ecclesiastical monuments The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, founded together with an Augustinian monastery in 1391, is the oldest monument in Prostějov. The originally Gothic church was later baroque modified. It is decorated with frescoes by Jano Köhler and with the Way of the Cross cycle by František Bílek. The Church of