From the heights to the depths

Bouzov Castle

The watchtower above Bouzov Castle is literally its symbol. The tower gallery, at the height of 40 metres, offers nice views as far as the summits of the Jeseníky Mts. It is interesting that the watchtower served as living quarters, as there are two rooms for the tower warden there, even with a toilet and pumped water reservoir. The courtroom and jail with dungeon are located below the tower.

The tower gallery served as the setting for several well-known scenes in the fairy-tale movie Princess Jasnenka and the Flying Shoemaker, and the castle itself is featured in more than three dozen other movies and TV series.

Black Tower in Drahanovice

The Black Tower is a remnant of a Gothic citadel from the turn of the 13–14th centuries. It was extensively rebuilt during the Renaissance, between 1567 and 1590. The original Gothic hold was converted into a residential building, the individual floors were connected by an outside spiral staircase, and the façade was decorated by black-and-white sgraffito.

The four-storey tower, with a height of 28 metres, is a unique monument of building activities of the lesser gentry in Central Moravia. Tours of the tower are individual, with a commentary about the history on request. The uppermost floor was turned into a gallery.

Tipy v okolí

UNDERGROUND TIPS:

Javoříčko Caves – one of the most beautiful cave systems in the Czech Republic, unique due to its rich, preserved, and diverse dripstone decorations.

Mladeč Caves – well-known not only due to their dripstone decorations, but also archaeological finds.

Tipy na ubytování

• Penzion Majorka, Slatinice
• Hotel Bouzov

Tipy na stravování

• Restaurace Na Nové, Drahanovice
• Náš Sobáčov, Mladeč

Tovačov Chateau

According to a legend, the chateau was established in the late 11th century as a hunters’ refuge, and later served as a well-protected water fort. The most important ruling dynasties were the House of Tovačov and Cimburk and later the House of Pernštejn. The former rebuilt the fort into a castle fortified by ramparts with corner bastions. The Slender Tower was added to the medieval core of the castle. At 96 metres high, it’s the tallest of its kind in Czechia, with a breathtaking view of the surrounding water kingdom of lakes and ponds.

Přerov Chateau

A hill fort stood at the site in the 11th–12th centuries, the Gothic castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century. The Comenius Museum, relocated to the chateau in the early 1930s, preserves rare exhibits in its collections of mineralogy, entomology, and archaeology, and presents the life and work of John Amos Comenius, complemented by period school rooms. There is also an exhibition of Haná ethnography.

The chateau tower was redeveloped several times throughout its existence; its current appearance comes from 1997–8. Accessible by a spiral staircase with 72 steps, the tower offers views of Přerov and its surroundings from the height of 43 metres. Ten vedutas with various appearances of the chateau are displayed between four observation windows allowing views to all four directions.

Helfštýn Castle

The castle was probably founded in the last quarter of the 13th century, but the main redevelopment into a Gothic fortress took place at the turn of the 14–15th centuries. Its wooden Hussite Tower with an observation deck offers nice views of the Moravian Gate Valley, the Oder Mountains, and the Maleník summit.

Probably even more breathtaking views are from the Medieval Palace, equipped with a unique, modern roof, and thanks to it and newly-built footbridges, the upper storeys of the palace have been opened up.

Tipy v okolí

UNDERGROUND TIPS:

Zbrašov Aragonite Caves – uniquely adorned with the mineral aragonite, the caves form a complex of corridors, chambers, flues, and fissures in various height levels.

Hranice Abyss – don’t miss visiting the deepest flooded abyss in the world! Thanks to virtual reality, you can also peek underwater – just visit the Hranice Abyss Information Centre.

Tipy na ubytování

• Zámecký Hotel Zlatý Orel, Hranice
• Hrad Kunzov Boutique Hotel

Tipy na stravování

• Restaurace Stará Střelnice, Hranice
• Restaurace U Bukáčků, Přerov