Moravian Gate

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The Moravian Gate (Czech: Moravská brána, Polish: Brama Morawska, German: Mährische Pforte, Slovak: Moravská brána) is a geomorphological feature in Moravia, Czech Republic. It is formed by the depression between the Western Carpathians and the Eastern Sudetes. The drainage divide between the upper Odra and the Bečva rivers runs through it.

It stretches from Moravia towards Silesia north-eastward in the length of about 65 km. It is bordered by the confluence of the Olza and the Odra rivers in the north.

The Moravian Gate has been a natural pass between the Sudetes and the Carpathians since the ancient times. Here ran the most important trade routes from southern Europe to the Baltic Sea (e.g. the Amber Road), and also routes from Lesser Poland to the Czech lands. The most important city in the Moravian Gate today is Ostrava. Near the northern end of the gate, in Poland, are located two towns, Racibórz and Wodzisław Śląski.