When the Jeseníky are
mentioned everyone thinks of skiing or walks in nature.
Many forget about the picturesque towns, villages and municipalities
in the foothills and consequently miss out on truly special
experiences. They have something to offer – for example
a hand operated paper factory, which has been manufacturing
paper in this traditional fashion for over 400 years, is
not easy to find anywhere.
| Bludov
| 3,100 inhabitants |
| top
| |
Bludov, located at the foot of the Jeseníky at an altitude
of 306 metres, is first mentioned around the year 1200.
The municipality can boast of a number of historical sights,
for example, a
Baroque chateau with an
arcade courtyard or a
Žerotín vault. Bludov
is also known for its
spas, which treat,
amongst other things illnesses, organs for children.
http://www.bludov.cz
| Branná
| 400 inhabitants |
| top
| |
A mountain municipality whose most prominent feature is
its
Church of St. Michael and its mayor’s
house. The importance of the community in the region is
documented by the preserved remains of a Gothic castle and
the Renaissance chateau
Kolštejn.
http://www.sweb.cz/branna/
| Bruntál
| 17,500 inhabitants |
| top
| |
An almost regular network of streets around the rectangular
square form the character of the historical core of the
town which is one of the oldest in the country. King Přemysl
Otakar I. granted Bruntál the rights of a town as early
as the years 1210–1213 and the town was a centre for the
trade routes from Olomouc to Silesia. Precious metals were
mined here. The most significant historical monument, not
only in the town, but also in the region, is the chateau
which came into existence in the second half of the 16th
century. Precious furnishings from the original interiors
have been preserved inside along with a rich picture gallery.
At present it serves as the seat of the regional museum.
One of the oldest churches in Northern Moravia is the dean’s
church of the
Assumption of the Virgin Mary
with a rare Gothic presbytery from the 13th century. Dignified
companions to this church include Bruntál churches, burgher
homes and other
historical buildings. Several
extinct volcanoes are located in the environs whose craters
are popular excursion destinations.
tel.: +420 554 713 099,
http://www.mubruntal.cz
| Hanušovice
| 3,500 inhabitants |
| top
| |
The local former mayor’s building with a hipped roof, wainscot
triangular coats of arms and a Baroque core from the first
half of the 19th century is an interesting monument and
example of folk architecture. The romantic
ruins
of Nový Hrad (New Castle) above the Morava River
valley are of interest not far from the town.
http://www.mu-hanusovice.cz
| Javorník
| 3,000 inhabitants |
| top
| |
Above this town in the foothills of the Rychlebské hory
Mountains the
chateau Jánský Vrch towers.
The town contains not only a non-traditional children’s
museum, but also first and foremost one of the oldest historical
buildings in the region, the
Holy Cross Church.
tel.: +420 584 440 688, +420 584 440 276,
http://www.javornicko.cz
| Jeseník
| 12,900 inhabitants |
| top
| |
A town with a rich and interesting history situated in a
countryside full of crystal clear water springs, streams
and cliff viewing points. In the middle of this the tourism
and economic centre of the northern part of the Jeseníky
sits the mysterious
Water Fortress with
a moat and a stone bridge. Also of great interest are historical
buildings such as the local churches and the former
monastery
of the Ursulines. The Natural Science Museum presents
an exposition on the history of the Jeseníky region and
the geology and mineralogy of the local area. One can also
look over the green hills from an aerial plane ride. One
can find quiet and refreshment at the restaurant Krásná
vyhlídka (Beautiful View) on the hill behind the town, from
which there is a view of the entire main range from Praděd
to Šerák. One should not pass up the opportunity to try
the Jeseníky
Priessnitz liquor with its
subtle taste of a mix of herbs and citrus fruits. The surroundings
are ideal for lovely walks with magnificent views of the
environs, for example from the
viewing points Zlatý
Chlum,
Křížový vrch (Cross Hill)
or the viewing rock
Medvědí kameny (Bear Stones).
A number of marked trails are suitable for even families
with children with the opportunity to glimpse various points
of interest, rock formations, memorial plaques, crystal
streams and gorgeous nature. Dozens of mountain springs
bubbling out of the earth will provide refreshment.
tel.: +420 584 498 155,
http://www.jesenik.org
| Mikulovice
| 2,800 inhabitants |
| top
| |
Mikulovice lies in the Bělá River valley not far from the
border with Poland. This locale has been know as far back
as the Middle Ages thanks to goldmining from the deposits
from nearby rivers the Bělá and the Olešnice. The remains
of these activities can still be seen today, for example
in the form of so-called “finger-like mining” on the way
toward nearby Ondřejov. The municipality contains the interesting
St. Nicholas Church with a Renaissance
grave stone from the year 1605 as well as a number of rare
“centuries-old” trees.
Information Centre - tel.: +420 584 429
381,
http://www.mikulovice.cz
| Mohelnice
| 9,900 inhabitants |
| top
| |
The town of Mohenice is guarded at present by the four-sided
tower of the
Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury.
In the earliest times this more than 70 metre high six-floored
structure served as a guard tower. Another interesting historical
building is the Bishop’s small castle, now the Mohelnice
Museum housing a permanent exposition “From the history
of Mohelnice”. Mohelnice contains a number of cultural sights,
interesting hiking trails, an indoor swimming pool on the
grounds of the town parks, a children’s transport playground
and a crazy golf course. The Stagecoach festival has been
a traditional part of Mohelnice for almost 30 years, taking
place every year in the last August weekend, and known as
one of the most prestigious folk and country music festivals
in the country. The concerts take place at several different
locales, with an amateur film competition also included.
tel.: +420 583 452 111,
http://www.mu-mohelnice.cz
| Moravský
Beroun | 9,900 inhabitants |
| top
| |
The most prominent feature of the town is the parish
Church
of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary whose interiors
contain a painting by Kryštof Handke as well as the oldest
organ in Moravia. The town is a natural starting point for
excursions out into the region. One should not miss out
on the chance to take a trip to the highest peak in Nízký
Jeseník range
Slunečná (800 metres in altitude)
or to
Ondrášov to taste its famous mineral
waters or to the valley of the wild Bystřice stream, a popular
destination for hiker, cyclers and mountain climbers. The
village of
Stará Voda within the military
area of Libavá has the pilgrimage church of St. Anne and
James the Greater and contains the J. E. Purkyně Path who
was a student here in the Piarist College. The path starts
in Dvorce and leads through Moravský Beroun, Norberčany,
Stará Voda all the way to Budišov n/B.
http://www.morberoun.cz
| Rýmařov
| 9,000 inhabitants |
| top
| |
This town is on the border of the Nízký and Hrubý Jeseník
mountain ranges with its most prominent features the parish
church of St. Michael and its early Baroque
Town Hall on the main square. Also of interest is the Baroque
architecture in the chapel in Lipka and the chateau and
stylised structure of the
Spitzer villa
in Janovice.
tel.: +420 554 212 381,
http://www.rymarov.cz
| Staré
Město pod Sněžníkem | 2,150 inhabitants |
| top
| |
The original name of this town sounds very romantic: Antiqua
Goldek – Gold Forge, thanks to the earlier gold findings.
The historical centre of Staré Město is ruled over by the
Town Hall from the beginning of the 17th
century, baroque sculptures and first and foremost the
Church
of St. Anne.
Not far from Staré Město are hidden
border fortifications
built in the years 1937–1938 as protection from the aggression
of Fascist Germany which were for those days some of the
most advanced fortification systems in Europe.
tel.: +420 583 239 134,
http://www.mu-staremesto.cz
|
http://www.staremesto.info
| Štíty
| 2,000 inhabitants |
| top
| |
Štíty, in previous times called
Šilperk,
is mentioned as early as the year 1278. The town contains
a number of protected historical buildings, for example
the
parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin
Mary from the year 1755 with a stone cross or the
Renaissance Town Hall from the 16th century which was later
reconstructed into a Baroque burgher home with a garret
roof and a residence wing. Štíty is also home to the centre
for acrobatic sports
Acrobat Park which
was cofounded by the Olympic champion in acrobatic skiing
Aleš Valenta.
tel.: +420 583 440 109
http://www.stity.cz
| Šumperk
| 28,800 inhabitants |
| top
| |
Šumperk is the economic and cultural centre of this region
and is known as the
gate to the Jeseníky
– one can get from here to the most well-known mountain
excursion bases – Skřítek, Červenohorské sedlo, Ramzová
as well as to the foot of the Králický Sněžník massif. In
past times Šumperk was known as “Small Vienna” thanks to
its range of impressive buildings. When visiting at the
present time one can even order an
unusual tour
of the town where in the accompaniment of a guide
one visits the historical core of the town. The walk leads
one literally from the 13th up to the 21st century and at
the concluson one may walk out onto the terrace of the Town
Hall tower where a view opens up of the
historical
burgher homes, the former Dominican monastery,
the old chateau and with the help of binoculars, a remarkable
panoramic view of Jeseníky.
tel.: +420 583 214 000,
http://www.sumperk.cz,
http://www.infosumperk.cz
| Velké
Losiny | 2,800 inhabitants |
| top
| |
This municipality in the foothills of the Jeseníky has available
an unforgettable experience in the form of a visit to the
four hundred year old
Hand-made paper factory,
the graves of members of the Žerotín family in the local
Church of St. John the Baptist and the
Renaissance
chateau. The
Velké Losiny spa
is ideal for a pleasant stay in whose park is an outdoor
swimming pool with thermal sulphurous water.
tel.: +420 583 248 361,
http://www.losiny.cz
| Vidnava
| 1,450 inhabitants |
| top
| |
This municipality is located on the Polish border in the
Vidnava lowlands at an altitude of only 233 metres above
sea level. Of interest are the range of homes on the square,
St. Catherine’s Church, statues from the
18th century and the
Renaissance chateau.
http://www.address.cz/vidnava/
| Vrbno
pod Pradědem | 6,000 inhabitants |
| top
| |
This town in the shape of an irregular diamond lies on the
confluence of two arms of the Opava River. Its most prominent
feature is the Empire style parish
Church of St.
Michael. Of interest are the two
natural
landscape parks on the grounds of the chateau as
well as historical villas. An ascent to the summit of Zámecká
hora (Chateau Mountain) reveals the remains of the
Premyslid
Fürstenwald Castle. The town also contains a swimming
pool, sauna, tennis courts and grounds for non-traditional
sports.
tel.: +420 554 751 585,
http://www.vrbnopp.cz
| Zábřeh
| 14,500 inhabitants |
| top
| |
Zábřeh – another Moravian town with a wealth of historical
sites – a
chateau which was a fortess in
former times, the old Town Hall which at present houses
the gallery Tunkel Court, an attractive fountain on the
square, a plague column, the parish Empire style
Church
of St. Bartholomew and many other items. Zábřeh’s
most famous citizen was
Jan Eskymo Welzl,
polar explorer and gold miner whose memory is recalled in
an exposition in the Zábřeh Museum. One can also enjoy the
town’s indoor as well as outdoor swimming pools, a Finnish
sauna as well as steam baths. One can receive a massage
or exercise in the local fitness centre, try out the Bouldering
climbing wall, play tennis or play nine-pin bowling with
friends. In the environs of Zábřeh are hiking trails leading
to neighboring villages and other interesting natural points
of interest.
tel.: +420 583 411 653,
http://www.zabreh.cz
| Zlaté
Hory | 4,800 inhabitants |
| top
| |
This small town with a gold mining history was declared
a
protected historical zone in the year
1992. Those interested in history and architecture, should
not miss the chance to view the Baroque Church of the Assumption
of the Virgin Mary, the old cemetery where one can find
grave stones from the year 1649, the hospital Church of
the Holy Cross or the nearby
castles of Edelštejn,
Leuchtenštejn and Kobrštejn. The town museum presents
the history of the mining of gold in this locality and a
reconstruction of a traditional mining tunnel. Also of interest
is an exhibition on the witch trials with a torture chamber
as well as an exposition on the Zlaté Hory micro-region
in photographs and postcards. One can also take an excursion
to a range of other interesting sites – the viewing point
on Biskupská Kupa, Rejvíz, the
Goldmining Mills
on the Olešnice River or the Mining instructional
trail.
tel.: +420 584 425 329,
http://www.zlatehory.cz
