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Petrov, the pictoresque hill topped by a cathedral, is the central landmark of Brno. The Cathedral, St Peter & St Paul, has a long and intricate history. The first church on its site is believed to have been founded in 1170. In the late 13th century, the original Romanesque church was turned into a Gothic basilica with two towers. In 1777, by the bull of Pope Pius VI, Petrov was chosen as the seat of the Brno bishopric.

The cathedral holds a special place in the history of Brno. In 1645, during Thirty Years' War, Swedish troops were besieging the city. After several months of unsuccessful siege, the commander of Swedish troops decided to make one last attempt at taking the city, declaring he would give up all action at noon if there was still no surrender. In a fit of inspiration, the bell-ringer, seeing that the city was on the brink of defeat, decided to ring the midday bells an hour early. The Swedes gave up their attack, the city was saved, and as a reward the Austrian emperor switched the Moravian capital from Olomouc to Brno. Brno remains the capital of Moravia ever since, while the clock of St Peter & St Pauls continues to strike twelve at 11 a.m. to this day.