Slezskoostravský hrad (castle)

Little was needed and the castle, which stood on Silesian Ostrava as early as the thirteenth century, would not exist.

Even after the year 2000, only the original tower remained. Today it is the venue for various cultural events, including the Summer Shakespeare Festival, and its various exhibitions make it an interesting place to visit.

In the past, the castle guarded the border between Silesia and Moravia, but after Silesia became part of the Czech lands, it lost its strategic importance and the owners converted it into a chateau. It was then plundered by Napoleon’s soldiers, Danes, Wallenstein’s mercenaries and Swedish troops. An important guest at the castle was, for example, Cecilia Renata, sister of Emperor Ferdinand III. Habsburg, who stayed overnight here when she was on her way to her wedding to King Władysław of Poland.

At the time of the Industrial Revolution, coal was mined around the castle. As a result, the castle fell by up to 16 metres and gradually became decrepit. That’s why today it no longer stands on a hill, but on a plain.

The castle is connected to the historic centre of the town by a footbridge over the Ostravice River and is situated on a great cycle path that leads along the Ostravice River to the Beskydy Mountains. There are concerts, exhibitions, Christmas markets and other seasonal events for the whole family. And like any good castle, it has its own White Lady. She walks around with a candle in her left hand and a golden key in her right.