Where to go on a trip Ženklava

A Botanical Treasure Hidden in a Quarry Beneath Štramberská Trúba

When the abandoned limestone quarry Dolní Kamenárka was transformed into a Botanical garden and arboretum Štramberk in 1999, a place with a completely unique atmosphere was created across an area of nearly ten hectares. This year-round, freely accessible open-air area represents a welcome oasis of biodiversity, history, and geological points of interest, where visitors are invited to head during daytime hours without worrying about admission fees. The combination of the protection of endangered species, a leisure space, and a unique landscape exhibition creates an ideal setting for a peaceful escape into nature amidst the mountains.

A Green Miracle Beneath Rock Faces

The garden focuses long-term on the protection of calcicolous and thermophilic vegetation, which is complemented by a well-conceived arboricultural exhibition and distinctive geological elements. Over 1,200 plant taxa have taken root in this diverse environment, including such rarities as the marsh helleborine, common butterwort, and dyer's greenweed. Life in the quarry is far from ending there, however – nearly 1,100 species of butterflies find a home here, among which the Apollo butterfly plays a leading role, as Štramberk is the very only locality in the Czech Republic where this successfully reintroduced species lives. The character of the landscape is rounded off by romantic wetland ponds, natural rockeries, and a sensitively constructed limestone biotope that provides ideal conditions for orchids and diverse communities of marsh plants. While wandering through the area, visitors will also encounter a symbolic stone labyrinth reminiscent of a sunny Mediterranean landscape or a mysterious pit with Pouťová jeskyně, which is currently being explored with anticipation by speleologists.

Practical Information for Every Visitor

A walk through the main area, during which the main parts of the garden can be traversed, local fauna encountered, relaxation by the ponds enjoyed, and a stop at the labyrinth or cave made, takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half. The arboretum is excellently adapted for all generations. Families with children will appreciate the combination of nature, playful activities, and the discovery of labyrinths; school groups and naturalists will find a perfect terrain for ecology, botany, or entomology here; and individuals, couples, and seniors will enjoy a well-deserved rest in an unconventional landscape. Furthermore, fully barrier-free access and the fact that entry is also permitted for dogs on a leash will please visitors.

How to Get Here and What Awaits Visitors

The arboretum is located in the western part of Štramberk at the foot of Bílá hora, just under seven hundred metres from the historical centre. If travelling by car, parking is possible near the football pitch or the primary school, from where a short forest path will guide visitors to the entrance. In the event of using public transport, it is sufficient to alight at the train or bus stop directly in Štramberk and continue on foot following the tourist markings. Inside the area, benches inviting visitors to sit by the water's surface or rocks and the unconventional environment of a former quarry full of discoveries await visitors. Once the tour is concluded, experiences from a peaceful morning or afternoon can be rounded off in one of the local restaurants, and the diverse range of services in the surroundings of the town can be utilised.

Gothic castle tower with a view

Štramberská Trúba is the remnant of the 13th-century Strallenberg medieval castle, the origin of which is associated with the Benešovic or Přemyslid dynasties. The 40-metre-high tower dominates the picturesque town of Štramberk, nicknamed the "Moravian Bethlehem". The tower acquired its present appearance with a characteristic wooden gallery during a reconstruction in 1903, following a design by the architect Kamil Hilbert.

Today, Trúba serves as a popular observation tower offering breathtaking views of the Beskydy and Jeseníky mountain ranges, as well as the Moravská brána. The castle grounds also function as a cultural centre. Below the tower stands Jaroňkova útulna, a folk-style wooden structure that previously served as a tourist hostel.

Access

The tower can be reached on foot from Náměstí Štramberk via a steeper paved path or steps around Jaroňkova útulna. Parking is available at the central car park below the square. The "Štramberk, nám." bus stop is within walking distance. The "Štramberk" railway station is located about 1 km from the centre.

What is worth discovering

Directly in Štramberk, visitors are recommended to taste traditional Štramberské uši, a local gingerbread specialty. Not far from the square lies the world-famous Šipka cave, where the remains of a Neanderthal child were discovered. The Botanical Garden and Arboretum in the old limestone quarry are also well worth a visit.

Štramberská Trúba is an icon of the region, combining history, architecture, and magnificent views. It represents an ideal trip destination for the entire family.

Unique spiral-shaped structure with a view of the Beskids

The Rozhledna Bílá hora is located on the summit of Bílá hora (557 meters) near the historic town of Štramberk in the Moravskoslezský kraj. It was ceremoniously opened in 2000 and is unique for its architecture, which resembles a DNA helix. The lookout tower, designed by architect Milan Šmída, has a height of thirty-six meters and is accessed by one hundred and sixty-five steps. From the viewing platform, a circular and panoramic view is offered of the Podbeskydská pahorkatina region, the Moravskoslezské Beskydy (dominated by Lysá hora), the Oderské vrchy, and the picturesque town of Štramberk with the Štramberská trúba tower.

Access

Visitors can reach the lookout tower by car from the I/58 road leading from Štramberk. A free parking lot is available for visitors near the foot of the mountain, from where a mildly rising asphalt road about eight hundred meters long leads to the lookout tower. The most popular pedestrian access is directly from the center of Štramberk along the yellow tourist trail, which leads through the Šipka natural monument. The nearest bus stop, Štramberk, náměstí, is located approximately one and a half kilometers away. The lookout tower is open year-round.

What is worth discovering

The dominant feature of the immediate surroundings is Hrad Štramberk with the aforementioned Štramberská trúba tower. In the town of Štramberk, visitors can view historic wooden houses and taste the local specialty – Štramberské uši. South of the mountain is the Muzeum Tatra Kopřivnice, dedicated to the history of the automotive company. Nearby is also the Kamenný vrch natural monument and the Šipka cave, known for the discovery of a Neanderthal jawbone.

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.

Rožnovské koupaliště is a sports facility in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, owned by the town and operated since the summer of 2000. The town also owns an indoor swimming pool (in operation since August 1994), which is located approximately 3 km from the outdoor swimming pool.

The swimming pool complex is open from June to August (depending on the weather) and offers several pools for visitors. The irregular-shaped recreational pool (depth 1.10 – 1.30 m) is equipped with various attractions (a 10 m long water slide, a wild river, a swinging pool, a water cup) as well as relaxation elements (air massage beds, massage jets, water cannons, a water spout, and a floor massage bubble). The longest pool is the 50-metre pool (concrete with a blue coating, width 20 m, depth 0.90 – 1.40 m), where visitors can enjoy additional attractions – a water banana and a water trampoline). Another pool (tiled, 25 x 20 m, depth 1.20 – 1.80 m) is designed for swimmers and has eight swimming lanes. A children's paddling pool is reserved for the youngest children under 6 years of age. None of the pools are heated; the temperature depends on the weather and the sun.

However, swimming is not the only entertainment available at the swimming pool complex in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. Visitors can play various ball games here, including beach volleyball, streetball, and foot tennis; Russian skittles, table tennis, and badminton are also prepared for visitors. By the paddling pool, there is also a children's playground. Changing rooms and sanitary facilities are a matter of course. Free WiFi internet access is available throughout the Rožnovské koupaliště complex.

In Rožnov, an indoor swimming pool with a swimming pool, a children's pool, a water slide, and a steam bath is also available year-round. If the swimming pool and indoor pool are not enough for entertainment, visitors may also enjoy an adrenaline park. Conversely, beer spas are a great option for relaxation in the town. However, the town's greatest pride is clearly the Valašské muzeum v přírodě, the largest open-air museum in Central Europe, which introduces visitors to folk customs, art, and entertainment.

Finding accommodation near the swimming pool in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm should be perfectly easy, as the town is a popular holiday destination and is therefore well-equipped for tourists. The widest selection can be found if you are looking for apartments. However, cottages, chalets, and guesthouses with a family atmosphere are also available. The town and its residents also think of budget-conscious tourists, so campsites and private accommodation can also be found here. Come and spend a few days in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and treat yourself to the opportunity to discover Valašsko, its nature, traditions, and culture!

A quiet ski sanctuary in the Beskydy Mountains

Ski areál Opálená is located on the northeastern slope of Ondřejník mountain, between the municipalities of Pstruží and Čeladná in the Beskydy Mountains. It is a popular destination primarily for families and recreational skiers, offering comfort in a pleasant natural environment with a mix of downhill skiing, snowboarding, and evening operations.

The resort is situated at an altitude ranging from approximately 560 to 670 metres above sea level. Its downhill slopes have a total length of about 650 metres, with the blue slope measuring around 300 metres for less experienced skiers and the red slope reaching up to 500 metres for more advanced ones. It features two main lifts with a transport capacity of approximately 1,350 persons per hour, while part of the resort is equipped with artificial snow-making technology and evening lighting. The resort also features a snowpark with jumps, rails, wallrides, and other elements, a children's park, a ski school, equipment rental and service, and aesthetic facilities including a stylish restaurant.

How to get there

Ski areál Opálená can be reached by car from Frýdek-Místek via Čeladná all the way to the municipality of Pstruží, following local signs to the resort afterwards. Parking areas, usually free of charge, are available directly at the lower station of the resort. Public transport can bring visitors by bus to Pstruží or Čeladná, from where the resort is accessible on foot or via local transport during the winter season.

What you can discover in the surroundings

The surroundings of Opálená offer numerous hiking trails leading into the Beskydy ridges. From the resort, visitors may connect to trails along the red-marked path towards Skalky, the peak of Ondřejník, or further towards Lysá hora. Nearby, visitors will also find other resorts, nature reserves, and Wallachian cultural sites in Čeladná, as well as suitable destinations for relaxation off the slopes.

The resort is an excellent choice for undemanding skiing in the quiet environment of the Beskydy Mountains, featuring accessibility, basic services, and options for users ranging from beginners to intermediate skiers.