Hukvaldy Castle

The castle ruins of Hukvaldy are situated on a hill above the town of the same name. Hukvaldy is one of the largest castle ruins in the Czech Republic. The castle is surrounded by a vast castle grounds where you can observe herds of deer or, for good luck, you can caress the statue of Janáček's Cunning Fox on the way up to the hill. Why the fox are you asking? It is becaouse in the town of Hukvaldy the famous composer Leoš Janáček was born!

The castle dates back to the thirteenth century and was built to protect the trade route from Olomouc to Krakow. It was gradually rebuilt to withstand military technology and weapons that were increasingly sophisticated.

Today the extensive castle is popular with hikers who admire spectacular views of the surrounding area. One of the best views is from the castle tower which is being gradually repaired. The best preserved part of the castle is the chapel of St. Andrew which hosts cultural events.