Moravian-Silesian Region – MORAVSKOSLEZSKÝ KRAJ

Due to black coal deposits – LOŽISKA ČERNÉHO UHLÍ – in Ostrava – Karviná area, this region belongs to the most important industrial territories of the country. But it also offers beautiful countryside, such as Moravian-Silesian Beskids – MORAVSKOSLEZSKÉ BESKYDY, often call just BESKYDY, with its highest mountain LYSÁ HORA, which is the place with the highest annual rainfall in the Czech Republic. This region of forests, waterfalls, thermal springs and stone mounds serves as a holiday resort for the industrial north.
The Pustevny mountain saddle – HORSKÉ SEDLO PUSTEVNY – is one of the major resorts of the Beskids. It was named after the hermits – POUSTEVNÍCI – who used to live there in caves in the 18th and 19th century. The construction of the Šumná, Tanečnice, Libušín and Maměnka mountain chalets – HORSKÁ CHATA – commenced at the end of the 19th century. This set of Art Nouveau buildings is a valuable part of Czech architectural heritage and a distinctive feature of Pustevny.

Mount Radhošť is a place steeped in myths and legends. According to one of these it is home to Radegast, the pagan god of war, victory, the Sun and abundance. A huge statue of him stands just below the summit at over 1,100m, and is a popular day-trip destination. Half man, half animal, Radegast along with the mountain’s harsh climate, gives the place a mystical feel. Radegast is one of the best known symbols of the Beskids and also gave his name to the local beer.

On Mount Radhošť you should not miss the Chapel of St. Cyril and St. Method – KAPLE SV. CYRILA A METODĚJE – chapel dedicated to the two brothers who came from the Greek city of Thessaloniki to Great Moravian Empire – VELKOMORAVSKÁ ŘÍSE and brought the Christianity to the country.

The region is also famous for its exquisite cuisine – you must definitely try some of the Wallachian specialities such as FRGÁLE – large circular pastries covered with cream cheese, poppy seeds, plum jam, or a spread made from dried pears. Other notable dishes are KYSELICA – a thick soup made of sauerkraut, cream and sausages, ŠTĚDRAČKA – a soup made of peas and dried plums, sheep cheese, SLIVOVICE – homemade plum distillate, and sweet gingerbread biscuits called ŠTRAMBERSKÉ UŠI.

Below Radhošť Mountain, you can visit the town of ROŽNOV POD RADHOŠTĚM, home to the oldest natural museum in Central Europe, featuring unique exposition of Wallachian folk architecture – VALAŠSKÁ LIDOVÁ ARCHITEKTURA. The complex contains hundreds of timber structures from the Wallach area. Explore them inside and out and be transported back in time as you go. Here you can even sample local food and try your hand at some old forgotten trades.

Due to the importance of industry in the region, there are many museums displaying products of local technical development. Lets stop by the Tatra Museum in Kopřivnice – it is a museum of the legendary motor works. The Tatra T87 driven by the travellers Hanzelka and Zikmund, the T57 cabriolet known as “HADIMRŠKA”, the black T603 for officials of all levels or the “regular” Tatra lorry – NÁKLAĎÁK, which can however handle the Paris-Dakar Rally. All of this awaits you in Kopřivnice. This specialized museum holds the most comprehensive collection of its kind devoted to the phenomenal Czech motor works.

In this region, there are three towns with protected historical centers. PŘÍBOR , the birthplace of Sigmund Freund, was an important center of education for northern Moravia from the 17th century to the first half of the 20th.

NOVÝ JIČÍN, founded under the castle of Starý Jičín , has a well-preserved central square dating back to the 14th century, with the Žerotínský château – ŽEROTÍNSKÝ ZÁMEK nearby.

ŠTRAMBERK is a unique small town nestled in a valley between lime hills, with many timber houses and the Trúba Spire rising on a hill above the town. It is sometimes called the Bethlehem of Moravia – MORAVSKÝ BETLÉM.

There are many castles and châteaus in the region; the most famous being HRADEC NAD MORAVICÍ composed of two sections. The older White Chateau has beautifully furnished rooms, while the Red Chateau, built in the Gothic style, has a restaurant and a concert hall. Don’t overlook the 19th-century White Tower, and in the summer months you can go for a romantic stroll through the English park. .

Castle HUKVALDY – HRAD HUKVALDY, in a village of the same name under the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, is one the region’s many castle ruins, known for a musical festival dedicated to the composer Leoš Janáček, who was born there.