Castles Mořkov

An extensive ruin on an elevation near Nový Jičín with a tower that serves as an observation tower and a restaurant.

Hrad Starý Jičín, an extensive ruin on a hill near Nový Jičín, ranks among the oldest monuments in Moravia. It was founded at the end of the 12th or the beginning of the 13th century, with the first written mention dating back to 1240, likely by the Hückeswagen family. It originally served as a solid provincial castle for the protection of a trade route, the so-called Jantarová stezka, and due to its strategic location and wide view, it primarily fulfilled a military role. Its significance began to decline after the Thirty Years' War, when it gradually fell into disrepair. In 1996, the castle tower was reconstructed by the municipality, and it is now accessible as an observation tower with a beautiful view of the wide surroundings, for example of the town of Nový Jičín. A stylish restaurant is located on the ground floor of the tower, and a period exhibition of armour and documents about the castle is installed on the upper floors.

Access

The castle is located in the village of Starý Jičín in the Moravskoslezský kraj region. By car, you can reach it from the D1 motorway (exit 311) towards Nový Jičín, from where you continue along local roads. The tour route begins below the castle. For bus transport, the nearest stop is Starý Jičín, where regional connections stop. From the stop, it is necessary to count on a walk uphill to the castle. Parking is possible at designated car parks below the castle.

What is worth knowing

In the vicinity of the castle is the historical town of Nový Jičín, which has been declared an urban monument reservation. Visitors may visit the Žerotínský zámek with the exhibitions of the Muzeum Novojičínska, or take a walk around the square with its historical houses and arcades. For hiking, the Podbeskydí nature park or a trip to the nearby mountain Svinec with an observation tower is ideal.

Hrad Hukvaldy is situated on a hill above the village of Hukvaldy, in the Frýdek-Místek district. The world-renowned composer Leoš Janáček was born in the village. For this reason, the Janáčkovy Hukvaldy music festival is held at the castle every year. Hrad Hukvaldy is the largest castle ruin in Moravia and the third largest in the Czech Republic. Visitors can explore not only the castle itself, but the surrounding game enclosure with fallow deer and mouflons is also attractive.

Hukvaldský hrad is first mentioned in 1285 and was probably built in the mid-thirteenth century, with the German counts of Hückeswagen believed to be the founders. Knight Arnold z Hückeswagen was invited to the Czech lands by King Přemysl Otakar I to arrange the marriage of the king's daughter Anežka and the English King Henry III. Although the marriage did not take place, Arnold remained in the diplomatic service of Přemysl Otakar, who granted him territory in northeastern Moravia. Arnold's descendants then founded Hrad Hukvaldy here.

The most frequent rulers of the castle were the bishops of Olomouc, who first acquired it in the mid-fourteenth century. A papal bull in 1355 confirmed their ownership and at the same time prohibited the sale or mortgage of the castle. In 1465, the castle passed into the ownership of the Czech King Jiří z Poděbrad, but it was immediately resold to the Olomouc bishop Tas z Boskovic. His brothers Dobeš and Beneš Černohorští z Boskovic financially contributed to the purchase of the castle and took over the castle after the bishop's death from the plague. Significant architectural modifications were carried out at the castle during their rule. These continued even after their death, when the castle returned to the hands of the Olomouc bishopric at the beginning of the sixteenth century. It remained the owner until 1948, when nationalisation took place.

From 1969, the castle was gradually and systematically renovated and opened to the public. Repairs were carried out on the castle palace, perimeter wall, gate, and Kulatina (an advanced fortification from the fifteenth century), which currently serves cultural purposes. A stone bridge over the moat was built, the inner castle in a state of emergency was conserved, and the Renaissance palace was roofed. Since the mid-1990s, metal staircases have made both viewing platforms and the viewing gallery accessible to the public. The seventeenth-century Kaple sv. Ondřeje is the best-preserved structure in the complex. In the nineteenth century, it was the only structure that received restoration and maintenance.

Visitors can explore the castle complex independently or with a guide. From the castle tower, visitors can enjoy a beautiful view not only of the immediate surroundings, but also see the ridges of the Beskydy mountains, the towns of Kopřivnice and Příbor, and catch sight as far as Ostrava. Several souvenir stalls can be found near Kaple sv. Ondřeje. Visitors are advised not to miss a visit to the game enclosure, where fallow deer and mouflons live. The castle is open to the public only during the summer season, but the enclosure is open year-round. During the season, visitors can look forward to various events, including a spooky night, fencing performances, the burning of witches, the Ondřejská pouť (St Andrew's Fair), or the grape harvest. At the very beginning of summer, the castle is the venue for the Mezinárodní hudební festival Janáčkovy Hukvaldy (International Music Festival Janáčkovy Hukvaldy).

However, other interesting tourist attractions can also be found in the village of Hukvaldy and its surroundings. Visitors are invited to visit Tropic Hukvaldy to discover exotic fauna and flora. In nearby Kopřivnice, all boys and men, young and old, will find something to their liking, as the Auto Moto muzeum (Auto-Moto Museum) and the Technické muzeum Tatra (Tatra Technical Museum) are located there. In Frýdek-Místek, visitors can explore the chateau with the Muzeum Beskyd (Museum of the Beskydy Mountains). The přírodní památka jeskyně Šipka (Šipka Cave Natural Monument) may lure visitors out into nature. During the summer season, visitors can go to refresh themselves at Aquapark Olešná or Aquapark Frenštát pod Radhoštěm.

Accommodation near Hrad Hukvaldy is easy to arrange, as the nearby village is prepared for tourists; hotel accommodation, a guest house, or a cosy cottage can all be found here. And if accommodation in Hukvaldy is fully booked, visitors can head to Kozlovice, Kopřivnice, or Příbor. The history of Moravia as well as interesting activities can all be enjoyed in the surroundings of Hrad Hukvaldy. Visitors are encouraged not to hesitate for long and to start planning a holiday in this locality. Immediately after finding accommodation on our website, visitors can begin compiling a list of everything they want to see and do during their stay.