Monuments to visit North Moravia

In this charming little town 10 km from Opava are two of the most beautiful castles in Silesia: the Red Castle and the White Castle. They stand on a hill and overlook the town and the surrounding area. The White Castle, dating from the 16th century, was once in Renaissance style, but after reconstructions in the 18th century it took on a classical appearance. The Red Castle was built at the end of the 19th century to host cultural events.

This castle and its superb ruins are those of a huge complex. Located on a wooded hill, this fortress, which seems to emerge suddenly from the forest, was built in the 13th century to protect the entire region (Moravská Brána). The fortification system (rows of walls, towers, 6 gates) is impressive. Different architectural styles are represented, testifying to countless destructions, reconstructions and developments over the centuries.

What a look! This real fairy-tale castle dominates the landscape and seduces from the start with its high keep, small pointed towers, access bridge, and walls that make you dizzy. Originally, it was a fortified castle from the early 14th century where King George of Poděbrady is said to have been born. In 1696, it passed into the hands of the Teutonic Knights order. Between 1896 and 1910, from its ruins it was rebuilt on a romantic model, to make it the summer residence of Eugene of Habsburg, head of this order at that time. The Gothic elements of the castle were emphasized as much as possible. In 1939, the order was dissolved and the place was requisitioned by the Nazis, who took away part of the rich collections. Inside, there are beautiful rooms and a huge kitchen. The neo-Gothic chapel houses the steles of the masters of the German order from 1395 to 1515. The rooms are filled with period furniture and decorative objects, even if not all of them were originally located in this castle. The conservation team organizes exciting thematic tours (in English) throughout the annual opening period: the castle in winter, a special children's tour, and a technical tour focusing on castle construction. Please check the website for the schedule of these tours and make your reservation. The castle is particularly well known in the Czech Republic, where its exceptional state of preservation has allowed it to appear in numerous Czech short and feature films.