Starring: monuments

Did you know that Bouzov and Náměšť na Hané are connected by the name of director Zdeněk Troška? He shot his first fairy-tale, Princess Jasnenka and the Flying Shoemaker, at Bouzov Castle, and the first part of Kameňák at Náměšť na Hané Chateau. However, both landmarks have much more to offer than film “credits”.

Bouzov Castle

The original Gothic castle was founded by the knight Búz of Búzov in the early 14th century. Over the centuries, the castle was owned by many significant Bohemian and Moravian families, and between 1696–1939, the Bouzov domain was owned by the Teutonic Order. The castle’s current form of a romantic residence dates back to an extensive redevelopment in the 19–20th centuries. You can choose from several guided tours.

Bouzov is often called a fairy-tale castle, and rightly so. It has been featured in a great number of Czech and foreign fairy-tales. In both parts of Princess Cursed in Time, Bouzov became Tri-River Castle, and it was the seat of Princess Katherine in The Princess and Half the Kingdom.

Náměšť na Hané Chateau

The chateau was built in the 1760s by Count Ferdinand von Harrach. Through marriage, the chateau soon came into the possession of the House of Kinský, who sold the chateau to ironmonger František Ottahal in 1916. He owned it until nationalisation in 1945. The Neo-Classicist chateau boasts richly decorated Rococo interiors.

In addition to Kameňák, in which the chateau was the place where the miraculous blue spring appeared, better-known films are associated to Náměšť thanks to the chateau’s furnishings and collections. Meissen porcelain, the pride of the chateau, was part of Miloš Forman’s masterpiece, Amadeus, while the gilded furniture was featured in a TV mini-series about Maria Theresa.

Tips in the environs

• Čechy pod Kosířem Chateau

The chateau houses the Film Exhibition dedicated to the films of Zdeněk & Jan Svěrák, with authentic props from movies such as Three Brothers, Kooky’s Return, Dark Blue World, and Barefoot. There are also the director’s annotated screenplays for Kolya and Elementary School on display.

Accommodation tips

• Penzion Majorka, Slatinice
• Penzion U Veterána, Slatinice

Restaurant tips

• Hostinec na Nové, Drahanovice

Plumlov Chateau

Built in the Early-Mannerism style, the six-storey chateau looms over Podhradský Pond. Especially impressive is its inner façade, spaced with huge columns. The chateau stands at the site of the former castle from the 13th century, the remains of which are still visible in the courtyard. Plumlov Chateau is a truly mysterious place, shrouded in many legends told during the tour of the site. The chateau has not yet been discovered by filmmakers, it has only “played a part” in student films.

Tovačov Chateau

According to legend, the chateau was established in the 2nd half of the 11th century as a hunters’ refuge, and later served as a well-protected water fort. The most important ruling dynasties were the Houses of Tovačov and Cimburk and later the House of Pernštejn. The guided tour will show you a number of Renaissance and Baroque interiors. The chateau and the town centre can be seen in the popular TV series Cops and Robbers and Gendarmes of Luhačovice.

Helfštýn Castle

One of the largest castles in Central Europe, Helfštýn is dominated by the Hussite Tower and the Medieval Palace. During the recent redevelopment, the palace was equipped with a unique, modern roof, and thanks to it and newly-built footbridges, the upper storeys of the palace have been opened up.

The castle’s monumental fortifications provide a great movie set. It was turned into Konstanz in the historical film The Last Escape of Jerome of Prague, and Helfštýn’s towers became part of the alchemist town of Ayra in Princess Cursed in Time 2.

Tips in the environs

• Hranice Karst – Hranice Abyss and Zbrašov Aragonite Caves

You definitely should not miss the unique Zbrašov Aragonite Caves and the Hranice Abyss, the deepest flooded abyss in the world.

Accommodation tips

• Boutique Hotel Hrad Kunzov
• Zámecký Hotel Zlatý Orel, Hranice

Restaurant tips

• Stará střelnice, Hranice

Velké Losiny Chateau

The chateau was built in the last quarter of the 16th century by John the Younger of Žerotín, who was also instrumental in the development of the local spa and founded the handmade paper mill, still in operation. The chateau is inextricably linked with the witch trials that plagued the region in the late 17th century. They are captured in Witchhammer, a film shot here, on location. The historic film Bathory was also shot here – the chateau “played” Sarvár Castle.

Tips in the environs

Sobotín Resort

This multi-functional resort offers almost unlimited entertainment possibilities. Sobotín Chateau was featured in Princess Cursed in Time 2.