REGION BESKYDY - NATURE, CULTURE, ADVENTURE

The Morava-Silesian Beskydy Mountains are situated in the eastern part of the Czech Republic in northern Moravia. The area shares borders with Poland to the north and with the Slovak Republic to the east. The Beskydy Mountains are part of a frontier mountain range that runs from north to south, with the highest points over 1000 m above sea level. Its landscape of long, rolling hillsides is covered with forests and pastures. The terrain is ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing and mountain biking.

The Morava-Silesian Beskydy Mountains are a perfect example of nature. Regardless of the time of year, the marvelous surroundings can offer a wide choice of sports, as well as cultural and entertainment programmes for visitors. Several area cities and communities have founded an association called REGION BESKYDY. Some of the members of the association are not located directly in the mountaneous part of the region, but it is difficult to imagine the region without their historical contributions, cultural programmes and services. They offer diverse services to accomodate those who are fond of winter sports or summer hiking and those who come here to explore the history and go sightseeing. There are also opportunities for those who are interested in historical fencing, old time fairs or musical concerts.

In the communities that lie on the hillsides and in the valleys of mountain creeks, there are also many activities in which one may participate from cross country skiing, hiking, bike touring to paragliding, mountain biking or HTK (a Czech term encompassing the combination of several sports designed to promote tenacity, strength and healthy living).

The area around the Beskydy Mountains is also rich with preserved relics. Among these is a unique collection of sacral buildings including churches, synagogues and other places of worship, all made from the wood and stone of the surrounding area. The oldest of them was constructed in the first half of the loth century, the latest built in the 1930's.

Needless to say, the Beskydy Mountains belong to a region rich with cultural traditions. These traditions are upheld by folklore festivals and especially by the genius of the musician, Leos Janacek and his native Lassko. His home town, Hukvaldy is host to an annual festival in his name.

Among the members of REGION BESKYDY there is also the Museum of Beskydy, which provides visitors a wide variety of exhibitions at Frydek Castle and in all of its branches.

In spite of the fact that the Beskydy mountain range forms the border with Slovakia and Poland, the region is easily accessable to tourists. Its location allows one to visit some of the well-known tourist resorts in Polish Beskid Slaski, the Kysuca Region and in the mountains in Slovakia with little effort.

An information network for the REGION BESKYDY provides all info services dealing with regional tourism.

A pleasant stay in the REGION BESKYDY is characterised by three components: nature, culture and adventure. If these are things you seek, Beskydy is the place for you. We invite you to experience all that awaits you in Beskydy.

The Beskydy area

The main part of the region is the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy. The mountain ranges and slopes, deep valleys offer good terrains for winter sports lovers. The whole area of the Beskydy region is a protected are with several preservations -- especially of a primeval forests.

Trinec

The population of the town is 45,000 people. The town has a significant position in Czech metallurgy. The metallurgical works were established here in 1839. There is a company museum in Trinec, presenting the history of the metallurgical works, and the sports area.

Trips in the surroundings: Hnojnik - a chateau, nowdays used for other purposes; Reka - a deep valley, marvellous conditions for hiking (Ropice, Ropicka, Javorovy) and skiing; Oldrichovice - a chair lift to the top of Javorovy, skiing slopes; Tyra - a deep valley and starting point for hiking (Javorovy, Ostry); Bystrice - a gate to the Silesian Beskydy mountains; Nydek - a wooden late gothic church (1576) ski slopes, hiking paths (Velka Cantoryje - 995 m Velky Stozek).

Jablunkov

The townlet in the end of the Jablunkov valley is a commercial and service center for the surrounding area and villages in the mountain valleys. It includes the parish church (1620) "Duke's House" in the baroque style (middle of the 18th century) and a square with chess-board blocks of houses. Timber chalets in Navsi (part of Jablunkov) remind visitors of the typical Silesian folk architecture. There is a folklore festival organized in town every year, the ensemble of folk music and dance "Gorol" is active in town and its folk costumes are occasionally seen.

Trips in the surroundings: hiking to the border mountain range of the Silesian Beskydy -- Velky Stozek, to the top of the Jablunkov mountain range - Girova. Pisek - a village east of Jablunkov - hiking to Girova and in the Silesian Beskydy mountains. Mosty u Jablunkova - a border railway station, climbing to the top of Skalka and Velky Polom in the Moravian - Silesian Beskydy - piste Severka, to Girova, to the Jablunkov pass - there are two railway tunnels under the saddle, an alternative route to "Sance", earthwork tailings from the l6th-l9th century, originally protecting the trade road. Hrcava - a village close to the borders with Poland and Slovakia, many wooden folk buildings, a local ensemble of folk music and dance, the eastmost village in the Czech Republic. There is a road going to Hrcava from the Jablunkov pass directly from the border crossing to Slovakia. Dolni Lomna - a village in the Lomna brook valley, weekend cottages, holiday centres, piste, ski slopes, start of an instructional path to the primeval forest Mionsi, hiking to Velky Polom, Kozubova and to the piste Severka (access by car possible). Open-air theatre for folklore festivals. Horni Lomna - a mountain village, weekend cottages and holiday centres, ski slope, hiking to Maly Polom, Mionsi, Slavic. The Information Centre in Jablunkov is located in the bus station, operated by the ATIS company.

THE FRYDEK MISTEK REGION

The main part of the region is created by the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy with the lower ranges along the Ostravice, the Moravka and the Celadenka rivers westward to the main mountains forming the border with Slovakia. The Ondrejnik mountain is also a part of the region.

Frydek Mistek

The cities of Frydek and Mistek developed for centuries independently, even as two district towns on the Silesian and Moravian banks of the Ostravice river. Both towns were joined in 1943. The industrial centre of Frydek Mistek contains several textile plants, Slezan with spinning mills and weaving mills. There is a steel construction plant and a steel sheet rolling mill in Liskovec (part of the town). New coal mines Staric and Paskov are near the outskirts of town. There is a mine gellery in Staric open to the public.

Highway E-462 connecting Olomouc with Tesin and Poland, goes through Frydek Mistek. The other highway goes through Mistek and connects Ostrava with the Beskydy Mountains, enabling fast and safe transportation. Frydek Mistek is an important highway transport centres because bus routes to Slovakia lead through the town. Railway connections go from Ostrava to the Beskydy Mountains. The infrastructure of the town (population of 64,000) is up to standard as well as the broad commercial network. There are good opportunities for vacations by lakes because there are two dams near the town.

The main sights and places of interest in Frydek Mistek may be found among the historical and architectural monuments. One of the most important monuments in Frydek is the castle in the square. It was built originally in the first half of the l4th century, rebuilt in l7th and late l8th century. The district museum is located in the castle these days. There are several memorable houses in the square. There are nice merchant's houses in nearby Hluboka Street. The houses were built in the l8th century. They are half-timber. The Church of St. John the Baptist is also situated there. This church was built in the l5th century in gothic style. The baroque church of St. Mary with the Way of the Cross with sculptures was built in the middle of the l8th century. It was a significant ediface of the town and a place of pilgrimage. The rococo parish Church of St. John and St. Paul is one of the most valued sacred buildings in Mistek. The church is located along the road to Olomouc.The other precious church in Mistek is the Church of St. James, built in the l3th century. There are several monuments in the Bedrich Smetana Park in Mistek, e.g. a monument to Petr Bezruc, Bedrich Smetana, Miroslav Tyrs and the monument built from the erratic boulders which was inspired by a book of poems "Silesian Songs" (P. Bezruc).

Trips in the surroundings: the dams Baska (3 km away) and Olesna (2 km) with opportunities for vacations, the Zermanice dam (9 km). - See The Ostrava Area.

Palkovicke hurky - hilly, partly forested landscape beginning on the western outskirts of the town, hiking possibilities, skiing slope with artificial snow in Palkovice.

Nosovice -the "Radegast" brewery. The Moravka River valley - Vysni Lhoty - possible ascent to the top of the Prasiva mountain.

Moravka - a centre of tourism and vacationing. Visalaje - a tourist centre and crossroad of hiking paths. There are paths from Visalaje to Lysa hora, Travny, Bily Kriz at the border with Slovakia divided by the low range Grun. There are suitable terrains for skiing on the slopes of both valleys (Moravka, Zlatnik, Visalaje, Grun).

Information can be obtained in Frydek Mistek in the travel agencies and in two information centres: IC - Beskydy Region on Hlavni Street, and IC Museum of the Beskydy- Zamecke nam. (Square). The townlet of Brusperk is located 9 km along the Ondrejnice river westwards from the town. The sights of this townlet are concentrated in Komenskeho street with arcades - craftsmen's baroque houses with Renaissance centres and a baroque sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk (1736). The baroque Church of St. George with a gothic centre has the Way of the Cross with baroque sculptures. The Memorial of Vojtech Martinek (1887-1960) is a reminder of a writer who was born there. IC - local information centre is located in the street K namesti, No. 22.

Frydlant nad Ostravici

The town is in the southwest spur of the Trinec valley surrounded by the Ondrejnik mountain, Lysa hora and Smrk which opens to the North. The town is perfectly situated as a starting point toward the central part of the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy and to Ondrejnik Mountain, which is situated directly in the town. Local iron works were launched at the beginning of the last century, closely followed by the mechanical engineering works. Famous local products such as enamel kitchen dishes, kitchen furniture and parts of the equipment for Ostrava coal mines became well known in the whole republic. There are several memorable sacred buildings in the town: memorial tablets to the victims of the wars, memorial of Ferdys Dusa in his native house (distinguished graphic artist, 1888-1958).

There is a large sports centre available along the Ostravice River. The piste on the slope of the Ondrejnik mountain under the Solarka hut has artificial lights for skiing after sunset. The local airfield is suitable for gliding and tourist flying.

Trips in the surroundings: hiking routes to the peaks of Lysa hora (1323 metres above sea level), Smrk (1276 metres), Ondrejnik - Skalka (964 metres).

Malenovice - the Satina Brook valley with waterfalls. Route to the top of Lysa hora, skiing centre in Staskov.

Celadna - a village in the Celadna River valley between Smrk and Knehyne.

Ostravice - the valley of the Ostravice River with the dam (potable water) between the massifs of Lysa hora and Smrk, the slopes of both mountains are very steep. A new road was built above the dam southward. There is a fork at the Bila village, one branch goes east to the saddle under Konecna where a crossing point to Slovakia is located. The other branch goes through Bila - vacationing, skiing terrains, to the crossing Hlavata - international highway E-464 with an exit to Bumbalka - the Makov saddle with a border crossing to Slovakia. There is access from Stare Hamry to the skiing centre Grun and the lower range to Bily Kriz. There are many tourist trails in the area, natural preservations and many other sights.

Information is available in Frydlant: travel agencies and Information Centre, Hlavni street 308 (Agency BETIS).

THE FRENSTAT REGION

The Considerable Frenstat valley is surrounded by mountain ranges completely.

The transportation system is created by an important railway from Frydek Mistek through Frenstat pod Radhostem to Valasske Mezirici, and an international highway E-464 goes through the Roznov valley (from Valasske Mezirici) to Bumbalka and the Makov saddle with a border crossing to Slovakia.

Attractive tourism locations are found in some of the most beautiful places of the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy with Pustevny and Radhost. One can even find a dash of Wallachian folklore, much more of which can be found in the Roznov area.

Frenstat pod Radhostem

The town centre is decorated with many historical buildings, e.g. neo-romanesque town hall - the museum of local history, with the memorial tablet to Jiri Raska, (an olympic winner in ski-jumping), the parish Church of St. Martin, the Church of St. John Baptist with a Valachian Christmas crib, the stone well with the sculpture of Neptune in the square. A local sculptor, A. Polasek (1879-1965) created the sculpture of Radegast and the sculptures of St. Konstantin and St. Method on the top of Radhost. There are several Valachian buildings in the town as well as an annual folklore festival.

The importance of tourism in this region can be illustrated by the fact that the first Czech touring club was founded in Frenstat pod Radhostem as early as in 1884. This club initiated the construction of a tourist centre in Pustevny, with a complex of hostels. The sports centre Horecky is easily accessable - it is a well known skiing centre with three ski-jumps.

Trips in the surroundings: Kuncice pod Ondrejnikem - a centre for weekend cottages, access to the top of Ondrejnik. Stramberk - Valachian architecture, castle with a tower called "Stramberska truba", the cave "Sipka" - archeological dig location, natural preservation on a hill Kotouc, historical urban preservation (see Novy Jicin); Koprivnice - Tatra company, car and truck museum; Hodslavice - a memorial to a distinguished native and historian Frantisek Palacky; Roznov pod Radhostem, Velky Javornik - excellent view point above the town (918 metres above sea level); Trojanovice - a lot of weekend houses, chair lift from Raztoka to Pustevny.

Pindula - considerable depression, a saddle between Radhost and Velky Javornik with a road leading to Roznov pod Radhostem.

Pustevny - a centre of tourism and skiing between Radhost and Knehyne (1018 metres above sea level), access by car possible from the Roznovska Becva River valley, in summer, also from Trojanovice, an access to the top of Radhost and to Pustevny. Radhost (1129 metres above sea level), an important place of pilgrimage, excellent view point from the top, a pilgrimage chapel and the sculptures of St. Konstantin and St. Method, the sculpture of the pagan god Radegast on the crest to Pustevny, ski slopes.

Roznov pod Radhostem

The town belongs among the significant centres of Walachia. The most popular monument in town - the Walachian open air museum (skanzen) - was founded in 1925 with approximately 60 buildings devided into three sections - Wooden Townlet, Walachian village and Mill Valley. The folklore festivals are organised between June and August in the open air theatre of the museum; local Walachian meals are served and folklore souvenirs are offered.

Roznov pod Radhostem it is a natural centre of the whole valley of the Roznovska Becva River, an important centre of tourism and vacationing. There are two ski-jumps in town. The sports centre with three swimming pools and the camping site are located close to the main roads crossings.

Trips in the surroundings: a central part of the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy - Pustevny, Radhost, Pindula, Velky Javornik, Vsetin Highland, the Roznovska Becva valley: Dolni Becva - glass works founded in the l6th century, skiing slopes, weekend houses.

Prostredni Becva-vacationing, swimming pool, road to Pustevny. Horni Becva - resistance fight during WWII, small dam built in 1937-swimming and water sports. Information can be obtained in the travel agencies in Roznov pod Radhostem Information Centre (METIS) - Municipal tourist information centre.

THE NOVY JICIN REGION

The area of Novy Jicin is bounded from the south by the slopes of Verovice hills. The northern part of the area gradually melts with the Odra River valley. The eastern border is created by the Ondrejnice River and the western border by the rivers Odra and Luha. The traffic axis west-east is the international highway E-462. The international airport in Mosnov is of an extraordinary importance.

Novy Jicin

The most valuable historical monument in town is the square from early l4th century. Renaissance houses with arcades from the l6th century and other buildings in the baroque style, in surrounding streets and alleys compose the urban Preservation in Novy Jicin. The runs of the town fortification, the castle of Zerotin (the museum of local history and hat-production), the museum of lamps and radiators, sacred buildings (the parish Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin - originally a gothic church, rebuilt in a baroque style, similar church of the Holy Trinity, wooden Spanish Chapel built in the middle of the l7th century), and the memorials to famous men - Bedrich Smetana, Leos Janacek, Hans Gregor Mendel etc. - they create a unique harmony with the historic square. There are various opportunities for sports activities in the town and surroundings which are enriched by the skiing piste with artificial surface and electric lights in winter. The piste is situated in Svinec.

Trips in the surroundings: Stary Jicin - the ruins of a castle - the oldest historical records dated 1201, the watch-castle in the Moravian Gate, abandoned in 1707. Archeological dig locations in the village. Hodslavice - the birth-place of Frantisek Palacky, historian and politician who lived in the l9th century. Wooden church of St. Andrew built in 1551. The crest of the western part of the Verovice hills - non-demanding tourist paths.

Stramberk

Stramberk is a memorial urban preservation. Timber buildings of the Walachian type are mainly on the outskirts of town. The castle, visible from a distance, abandoned in 1783. The high tower has an excellent view - of Stramberska truba.

The cave "Sipka" is extraordinary attractive. It is located in the lime-stone hill Kotouc and this place has the remains of the cave-people. The cave is a part of the natural preservation. The quarry, lime works and cement works are situated on the other side of the hill. The western part of the Stramberk highland is attractive for hikers.

Koprivnice

This important industrial centre is famous for car and truck production. The coach producing factory was founded in the middle of the l9th century. Production was changed in 1882. Railway carriages were produced. The car production was introduced in 1897. TATRA cars became very popular. They were equipped with aircooled engines. Current production is focussed an trucks exclusively. The car and truck museum is extremely interesting. Famous citizens, born in Koprivnice are the painter and graphic artist Zdenek Burian (1905--1981 ) and the famous long-distance runner Emil Zatopek (1922).

The piste on the slopes of Cerveny kamen is available in winter. There are many tourist paths there to be used all year round. The information can be obtained in the travel agencies in Koprivnice, as well as in the Town Information Centre at: Zahumenni Street 1162.

Pribor

The historical monuments can be found especially in the town centre. There are important renaissance houses with arcades and a renaissance town, built in the l6th century in the town square. The Renaissance college is closely connected to the town centre. It used to be a Czech teacher's institute until 1938. The baroque church built in the middle of the l8th century stands close to the college. The parish gothic church built in the late l4th century, has a main altar with a gothic sculpture of Madonna. The remains of the town fortification can be found close to the church. Dr. Sigmund Freud, born in Pribor, became a world famous person. He is remembered in the local museum and a memorial house.

Pribor is located on a main highway E-462. It is a gateway to Stramberk, Koprivnice and Hukvaldy.

Hukvaldy

- part of the village of Sklenov with the castle, the centre of the former large dominion, a part of which was once also Ostrava. The castle was abandoned since a fire in 1762. The oldest historical records regarding the castle are dated 1228. It is one of the largest castles in Moravia: The perimeter of the bulwark is 800 metres. There is a game-park on the slopes around the castle with wildsheep and fallow deer. The important buildings in the village are: a former renaissance brewery, a memorial to Leos Janacek, a memorial tablet on the wall of the old school is a reminder of the birthplace of the great composer. There will be a significant cultural event in 1994 in Hukvaldy to remember the 140th anniversary of Janacek's birthday. The annual music festival is held in the open air theatre in the game-park:

Hukvaldy - birth-place of a world-famous composer Leos Janacek (1854-1928). Dominating ruins of the castle, former seat of a large Hukvaldy dominion, memorial tablet on the wall of an old school, native house of Leos Janacek. Collection of materials related to his youth and work in a nearby memorial (Podobori No. 79).

Leos Janacek - composer and folklorist, outstanding representative of a modern music, professor of the Conservatory in Brno. Operatic works (Her Step-daughter, Sly Little Vixen, Case Makropulos, From A Dead House), many cantatas, choruses, symphonic and chamber opuses.

Stramberk - the urban preservation of settlement round a castle with a folklore Wallachian architecture. The remains of town fortification connected to the fortification of a castle. Ruins of a guard castle from the early l3th century with a cylindrical tower, called "Stramberska truba".

Roznov pod Radhostem - Open-air Wallachian Museum composed of three parts - Wooden Townlet, Wallachian Village and Mill Valley. Collection of more than 60 buildings of typical wooden Wallachian architecture.

Industries: Iron works - Trinec; textile industry - Frydek Mistek; coal mines - Staric rolling mills and bridge-building works: - Frydek Mistek, Liskovec; mechanical engineering - Frydlant nad Ostravici; kitchen furniture and enamel dishes - Frydlant nad Ostravici brewery - Nosovice; Frenstat pod Radhostem - textile industry production of electric motors and furniture; Roznov pod Radhostem - knitwear, electrical works; Novy Jicin - car accessories, hat production, tobacco industry; Stramberk - cement works and lime works; Koprivnice - trucks; Pribor - cars, knitwear.

Places suitable for holidays: outdoor pools: Trinec, Jablunkov, Stramberk, Frydlant nad Ostravici, Celadna, Frenstat pod Radhostem, Roznov pod Radhostem, Kuncice pod Ondrejnikem, Trojanovice, Novy Jicin, KoprivniceKC Dams: Baska, Olesna, Horni Becva nearby dams: Terlicko, Zermanice

Rivers: Ostravice, Moravka (in places)

Indoor pools: Trinec, Frydek Mistek, Novy Jicin Koprivnice ski centres with lifts: Moravian-Silesian Beskydy; Reka, Javorovy, Kozubova, Dolni a Horni Lomna, Severka (Skalka - Velky Polom), Pustevny - Radhost, Frenstat pod Radhostem - Horecky Palkovice - slope with an artificial snow, Frydlant nad Ostravici - Ondrejnik-Solarka, Grun, Bily Kriz, Bumbalka, Trestik, Silesian Beskydy: Bahinec Koprivnice Novy Jicin - plastic cover, camping sites: Komorni Lhotka, Jablunkov, Frydlant nad Ostravici, Frenstat pod Radhostem, Roznov pod Radhostem, Prostredni Becva

Tourist paths: the ranges and crests of Moravian-Silesian Beskydy and Silesian Beskydy, Jablunkov hills, the Stramberk highlands, the Palkovice hills, the Radhost highlands, the Verovice highlands, the Pribor hills

Cultural centres and facilities: Trinec - centre of culture, hall of sports, Dolni Lomna - outdoor amphitheatre, Frydek Mistek - hall of sports, museum (castle in Frydek), Frenstat pod Radhostem - museum of local history, Roznov pod Radhostem - Open-air Wallachian Museum, amphitheatre, Novy Jicin - hall of sports, Koprivnice - centre of culture, Hukvaldy - outdoor amphitheatre museums: Koprivnice - truck and car museum, Novy Jicin - museum of local history, Museum of hat manufacturing, Museum of car lamps and radiators.

Information:  Tourist Infoservis, Jablunkov 73
              IC Muzeum Beskydy, Frydek Mistek, Zamecke namesti,
              tel.: 0658/204 52
              METIS (Town tourist and information centre),
              Roznov pod Radhostem,
              tel.: 0651/575 51
              BETIS - Beskyd tourist information services,
              Frydlant nad Ostravici, Hlavni 308,
              tel.: 0658/71316
              Town information centre Koprivnice,
              Zahumenni 1152,
              tel.: 0656/47 42 42