Where history was written

Who hasn’t heard this famous proclamation made following the accession of a new monarch? Unfortunately, hopes for the new ruler are not always fulfilled.

Olomouc Castle

Few years are so strongly inscribed in Czech history as 1306, when Wenceslas III was murdered in Olomouc. This murder caused the Přemyslids’ male line to die out, igniting a fight for the crown, terminated by the accession of John of Luxembourg in 1310. Let’s visit places where this assassination, which has remained a historical unsolved mystery, occurred.

There are more than enough uncertainties associated with this event. Not only it has remained unclear who murdered Wenceslas III and why, but it is not clear when it exactly happened – historical sources differ in this regard.

All that is certain is that he was murdered in the house of the chapter dean, which occupied the site where the Archdiocesan Museum now stands on Wenceslas Square. But the genius loci alone will surely make a powerful impression on you.

Archbishop’s Palace

A change of sovereigns can be less drastic, as evidenced by the events of 1848, when the Archbishop’s Palace in Olomouc saw the abdication of Emperor Ferdinand I the Benign in favour of his nephew, Franz Joseph I, only 18 years old at the time. He became one of the world’s longest serving sovereigns – reigning for almost 68 years. The abdication took place in the Throne Hall, part of the guided tour of the palace.

Tips in the environs

When it was decided in Olomouc who would be King of Bohemia

On 7 December 1478, Vladislaus II and Matthias Corvinus concluded an agreement in Olomouc, according to which they both could use the title King of Bohemia: Vladislaus with the right of hereditary rule of Bohemia, and Matthias with the right of hereditary rule of Moravia, Silesia, and Lusatia. This unique historical moment is commemorated by a plaque on house No. 21 on the Upper Square.

Accommodation tips

• Long Story Short
• Herbarium Boutique Hotel
• Miss Sophie’s

Restaurant tips

• Svatováclavský pivovar
• Eatery & Bakery Long Story Short
• Moravská restaurace

Certain moments in our history still invoke terror and a chill – due to their cruelty as well as incomprehensibility from today’s view. And it often doesn’t matter whether they took place in the “dark” Middle Ages… or not too long ago.

Bouzov Castle

This romantic, fairy-tale castle has a very dark spot in its history. During World War II, it came under the administration of Heinrich Himmler, the highest commander of SS, known to be interested in mysticism. He apparently wanted to turn Bouzov into one of the seats of his Black Order. We will never know the truth, but we know for sure that Bouzov housed a German garrison and warehouse for the spoils of war. The darkest moment came at the very end of the war when an SS squad left the castle for the village of Javoříčko, which they razed down on 5 May 1945 and shot 38 men dead in revenge for their support of local partisans.

Velké Losiny Chateau

In the 17th century, cruel witch trials struck the regions around Jeseník and Šumperk, during which hundreds of innocent people were burnt at the stake and their possessions confiscated. Even a priest, Dean Kryštof Lautner, was burnt to death.

Velké Losiny Chateau unfortunately became the very centre of these ravings. The Countess of Galle, administrator of the domain, feared the “witches” to such an extent that she invited inquisitor Heinrich Franz Boblig to the chateau. He headed the inquisition tribunal and cranked up the wheels of the murderous machinery. The chateau became the place of detention, interrogation, and torture of dozens of people accused of witchcraft.

Tips in the environs

• Memorial in Javoříčko – erected near the newly built village, it commemorates the tragedy.
• Javoříčko Caves – one of the most beautiful cave systems in the Czech Republic, unique for its rich, well-preserved, and diverse dripstone decorations.

• Therme park Velké Losiny – unique thermal park, the only one of its kind in Czechia.
• Petrovy kameny – a rock formation referred to as the site of witches’ covens during the witch trials in Velké Losiny and surroundings.

Accommodation tips

• Hotel Bouzov
• Resort Sobotín
• Villa Aurelia, Velké Losiny

Restaurant tips

• Restaurace U Coufalů, Loštice
• Motorest Permoník, Sobotín
• Restaurace Losín, Velké Losiny