Aristocratic residences in the mountains

Jánský Vrch Chateau

This charming chateau overlooks the town of Javorník in the Rychleby Mountains near the Czech-Polish border.

The first written record of the original hold dates back to the late 13th century. From the mid-14th century, the castle and the surrounding domains were owned by the Diocese of Wroclaw for the next six hundred years. The castle was heavily damaged during the Hussite Wars in the 15th century. Major reconstruction of the castle began towards the end of the 15th century when its name was also changed to Jánský Vrch in honour of John the Baptist, patron saint of the Bishops of Wroclaw. The definitive redevelopment into a Baroque chateau took place under the episcopate of Bishop Philipp Gotthard of Schaffgotsch in the 18th century. He even invited composer Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf, whose comical operas are still played today, to the chateau. Thanks to him, Jánský Vrch became the centre of musical life in Silesia for years. In his honour, the annual International Music Festival of Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf takes place in the concert hall of the chateau and elsewhere in the region.

One of the guided tours shows the ceremonial rooms with original furnishings, mostly from the 19th century. You will also see one of the largest collections of tobacco pipes in the Czech Republic. Another tour leads through the service quarters of the chateau. Tourists can also visit the attic and former guest rooms on the 3rd floor.

Jeseník Water Fortress

The village of Freiwaldau, today’s city of Jeseník, was established in the 13th century at the junction of strategic trade routes between Moravia and Silesia. Since the very beginning, it was guarded by a citadel. In 1547, the Freiwaldau domain was acquired by the Diocese of Wroclaw and the water fortress remained the only protection of the town, which did not receive the right to build its own walls. Over time, the building no longer suited the demands for living standards, and it was redeveloped into the present form around 1730.

The Jeseník Water Fortress now houses permanent exhibits of the local history, fauna and flora, and the cellars offer the interactive Witch Trials Exhibition, which presents, in an engaging way, one of the saddest periods in the region’s history, one that cost the lives of hundreds of innocent people. The inquisition trials tormented Silesia from 1622 until 1695. The exhibition in the cellars will unveil the hysteria of that period thanks to modern equipment including an audio-guide, touch screens, and a film about the first victim of the Freiwaldau Inquisition, projected onto a wall of dry ice fog.

Tipy v okolí

• Račí údolí (Crayfish Valley) with the ruins of Rychleby Castle
• Priessnitz Spa Resort in Jeseník

Tipy na ubytování

• Penzion Kovárna, Lipová-lázně

Tipy na stravování

• Penzion Kovárna Lipová lázně

Kolštejn Chateau

Kolštejn is located on a rocky cliff above the Branná River. The castle initially guarded the trade route from Silesia to the capital of Moravia – Olomouc.

Over more than 700 years, the castle was owned by 11 noble families. The current Renaissance chateau comes from the 16th century when the Gothic castle of Goldek, first mentioned in 1325, was redeveloped. During the 15th century, the castle was turned into a robust fortress. In the 17th century, Kolštejn played an important role during the Thirty Years’ War when the Imperial Army fought back the Swedish Army. But the importance of this strategic site was gradually waning.

The redeveloped chateau now offers a guided tour. In addition to the tour, the chateau complex offers accommodation and you can experience a romantic, unusual stay in the Chateau Goldenstein Hotel.

Velké Losiny Chateau

The chateau was built in the last quarter of the 16th century by John the Younger of Žerotín. Dating back to that time is primarily the bulk of the large dining hall with the oldest tile stove in Moravia.

The Losiny domain was spared the events of the Thirty Years’ War, due to which the chateau has been preserved in its original form including parts of the furnishings. At the beginning of the 19th century, the House of Žerotín were forced to sell the indebted domain with chateau to the House of Liechtenstein. They later adapted part of the “lower” chateau in the Biedermeier style and arranged the park into its present-day form. The conversions were meant to turn the old chateau into a romantic summer residence.

During the two guided tours, you can admire the heritage of the House of Žerotín and the House of Liechtenstein – the two most important owners of the domain.

Tips for trips in the area:

• Velké Losiny Spa
• Therme Park Velké Losiny

Tips for accommodation and boarding:

• Velkolosinská pralinkárna
• Resort Sobotín

Tipy v okolí

• Velké Losiny Spa
• Therme Park Velké Losiny

Tipy na ubytování

Resort Sobotín

Tipy na stravování

• Velkolosinská pralinkárna
• Resort Sobotín