Metalzoo Staré Město

Kovozoo Staré Město is the only zoo in Europe made entirely of scrap-metal sculptures. Built on the grounds of a former sugar factory in Staré Město near Uherské Hradiště in Moravia, it has become one of the region's most distinctive family attractions.

What exactly is Kovozoo?

The concept is simple but unusual: instead of living animals, the fenced grounds are populated by dozens of life-size figures welded together from scrap metal, old tools, and machine parts. The project's goal goes beyond entertainment — it aims to show visitors that seemingly useless metal waste can be given a second life as something both attractive and thought-provoking, blending a theme-park experience with an environmental message about recycling.

Which animals can visitors see?

The collection includes more than 500 metal creatures. Among the most recognizable are a two-ton rhinoceros named Norbert and a five-meter giraffe named Safiré, accompanied by her calf Melmen. There is also a lion enclosure and a herd of elephants, alongside camels, walruses, moose, gorillas, cheetahs, ostriches, turtles, horses, crocodiles, various fish species, swans, llamas, and bison, all rendered in scrap metal.

What else is there to see on site?

Kovozoo is not limited to animal sculptures. The grounds also feature the metal lighthouse Šrotík, the ship Naděje, an L610 aircraft, and the Steelinka train, along with viewing platforms. Visitors can also see the so-called Kovozoo maternity ward, a congress center, the Veterans Museum, a smithy, and an exhibition dedicated to blacksmith's craft. The site is further filled with countless decommissioned pieces of industrial, firefighting, and agricultural equipment.

Where exactly is Kovozoo located?

The attraction sits on the grounds of a former sugar factory in Staré Město, close to Uherské Hradiště, in the Zlín Region of eastern Czechia. Its location makes it a convenient stop for anyone exploring the Moravian Slovakia region.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kovozoo a real zoo with living animals? No — every exhibit is a sculpture made from scrap metal, not a living animal.

How many figures can visitors see on site? More than 500 metal animals of varying sizes, from small figures to multi-meter constructions like the giraffe Safiré.

Is this the only place of its kind in Europe? Yes, Kovozoo is described as the only zoo made entirely of metal sculptures on the continent.

Are there attractions besides the animal sculptures? Yes — a lighthouse, a ship, an aircraft, a train, a veterans museum, and a smithy with a blacksmith's craft exhibition.