Fryštát Chateau

Don't miss a visit to the real jewel of Karviná and the whole Těšín Silesia!

The cosy chambers, salons and representative rooms of the Empire chateau with a large park like in Jane Austen’s novels, a game preserve and a lake with boats will surely enchant you. Tours are also available at weekends throughout the winter season!

A wooden castle used to stand on the site of Fryštát Chateau as early as the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The Piast dynasty built it here as their second residence – the first one was in Těšín. It acquired its present appearance thanks to the Larisch-Mönnich family. They owned the castle until the end of the Second World War and marked the development of the whole Karviná and Ostrava region. They were related to the highest noble families of Europe, for example to Empress Elisabeth, known as “Sissi“. That is why the aristocracy, including Crown Prince Rudolf of Habsburg, came to Fryštát.

Traces of the Irish Catholic Taaffe family can still be seen around the castle. The Taaffe family fled to Teschen from Ireland to escape the persecution of the Catholics. During the reign of the Taaffes, for example, the King of Sweden visited Fryštát and a statue of St. Patrick, the patron saint of the Irish, still stands by the nearby church.

During one of the sightseeing tours you will also visit the Church of the Holy Cross – the oldest building in Karviná. Inside the sanctuary you will find a unique mediaeval fresco comic and also a painting that is said to perform miracles!

The Fryštát Chateau is also part of the art exhibition of the National Gallery in Prague.

In the summer months, you can explore the surroundings of the chateau in style on a horse-drawn carriage ride!