Beskydy Mountains

The area of Moravskoslezské Beskydy and Pobeskydí is to be found in the most eastern part of the Czech Republic. Extensive region of Beskydy has many forms ranging from deep forests, steep slopes and wide nature sceneries to city land of Frenštát, Rožnov pod Radhoštěm or Frýdlant nad Ostravicí. The stay in Beskydy is relaxing particularly thanks to the allure of the nature, romance, calm but also entertainment opportunities. All those who like to make trips from one destination to the surroundings could see many museums and sights in Beskydy. By making trips the tourists acquaint themselves with the life and work of local artists. A lot of unique historic sights will not escape your notice, for example ruins of Hukvaldy Castle, a castle in Frýdek, arboretum in Jablunkov, open-air folk museum in Rožnov, several buildings from the beginning of the 20th century and old-fashioned wooden churches. Ethnographic festivals will acquaint you with peculiar folklore of this region. Beskydy and its surrounding are sought-after destination of summer and winter stays. A wide net of accommodation facilities with complex services is stretched all over the region of Beskydy.

Protected Natural Zone Beskydy lies in dissected highlands Vnější Západní Karpaty and it takes up almost the whole region of Moravskoslezské Beskydy, a substantial part of Vsetínské vrchy and a Moravian part of Javorníky, creating a border with Slovakia. Here, it directly borders with Protected Natural Zone Kysuce.

Nature trail "Hůrky"

Hukvaldy – Palkovické hůrky - Rovňa – Olešná. The trail is 12,5 km long and shows varied sights on the nature in the surrounding of Frýdek-Místek and Hukvaldské Hůrky It starts in Hukvaldy and runs over national park Palkovické hůrky, where old mixed forests are preserved. In the area under Holý vrch there are several rare and protected red yews. The land gradually changes into the area influenced by various human activities (agriculture, industry zones). Another area, Rovňa, is a typical example of spruce monoculture created by humans. When descending to the dam Olešná it is possible to notice the influence of fungus on the environment, particularly on decomposition of old trees and release of space to new ones. 20 fish species live in dam Olešná near Místek. There is an amazing view on the land and mountains in the surrounding from several places of the trail.

Chapel and spring Frýdek-Místek

The place named after the former archducal forest was plentifully visited by pilgrims from the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. People trust that water has a magical power, they drink it, they washed in it and they took it home. Today the wooden chapel of Saint Cross was built in 1834 and was consecrated in1871. There is a statue of Virgin Maria and Christ next to the chapel, which was let build by one of the pilgrims as thanks for his recovery. Bicycle trail BESKYDY-RADEGAST bicycle track Bicycle trail runs through the land under Beskydy with a possibility to go up to Prašivá Mount. This trail is 53, 3 km long and runs over little frequented asphalt roads. Its direction is signed by a typical logo and mostly it uses already signed bicycle trails No. 46, or 6005, No. 56 and 6098. Nošovice is a suitable and symbolic starting point, but you can enter the bicycle trail everywhere. In restaurants and pubs on the bicycle trail, where Radegast bier is draught, and in Information centre in Beskydy you should obtain (in limited quantity) whole cycling maps with a brief guide. Bicycle trail runs through the land under Beskydy with a possibility to go up to Prašivá Mount. This trail is 53, 3 km long and runs over little frequented asphalt roads. Its direction is signed by a typical logo and mostly it uses already signed bicycle trails No. 46, or 6005, No. 56 and 6098. Nošovice is a suitable and symbolic starting point, but you can enter the bicycle trail everywhere. In restaurants and pubs on the bicycle trail, where Radegast bier is draught, and in Information centre in Beskydy you should obtain (in limited quantity) whole cycling maps with a brief guide.

Valašsko

The northeast part of the Czech Republic is formed by mountain range Moravskoslezské Beskydy and Vsetínské vrchy. This region, named Valašsko after sheep herdsmen (valaši), was settled in the 12th century. Very original culture was created by the connection of mountain herdsmen culture and farmers, who settled in the valleys. Also a telling folk architecture of wooden houses preserved. Strong folklore traditions are still kept. The most memorable mount of Beskydy is Radhošť (1 129 meters above sea level). The most sought-after place is mountain saddle Pustevny (1 018 meters above sea level). Lysá hora (1 324 meters above sea level) is dominant thanks to its height; Soláň (861 meters above sea level) predominates thanks to its picturesqueness of the landscape. Mountain ridges provide opportunities for unique sights. On a clear day you can see even Slovakian mountains Malá Fatra. The region is formed by rivers Odra, Morava and Váh. The most significant river is Bečva, which has two riverbeds (Vsetínská Bečva and Rožnovská Bečva) that connect under Valašské Meziříčí. Variety of landscape is completed by several larger water reservoirs: dams Bystřička, Horní Bečva, Stanovnice and others. Sights - Valašsko has rich history and a lot of valuable cultural landmarks. Open-air folk museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm represents a unique centre of folk architecture, preserving two original wooden houses from the 18th century. This cultural-natural landmark whose attendance is comparable with the attendance of the Prague Castle enables to show the traditional craft, to grow original plants and to breed cattle in a traditional way in a concept of “life museum”. A historic centre of burgher houses in Valašské Meziříčí, a castle in Vsetín and a city preserve Štramberk with ruins of a castle and near cave Šipka, famous thanks to the discovery of jaws of Neanderthal man, are significant landmarks. Near Hukvaldy, the birthplace of Leoš Janáček, the composer, there are huge ruins of the castle with a large park. The wooden church from 1551 in Hodslavice, a birthplace of František Palacký, the writer, belongs to one of oldest wooden buildings in the Czech Republic. Culture – appeal of Valašsko and peculiarity of landscape and inhabitants inspired a wide range of poets, writers, painters and composers. In local galleries you can find pieces of work of many prominent contemporary painters, sculptors and photographs. Concerts of both classical and pop music are held in an impressive atmosphere of cathedrals and concert halls. Museum of Valašsko. Folklore is an inseparable part of Valašsko. Folklore is kept through many dance groups and choirs and represented during the whole-year various programme offer of the Natural Museum of Valašsko and during the traditional festivals on other places of this region. Sport - Valašsko offers a wide range of both summer and winter sport opportunities. For those interested in hiking there are 189 km of signed tourist trails. In cities and around holiday resort you can go in for all kinds of summer sports including indoor or outdoor swimming, ball games, tennis, cycling, horse riding, hang-gliding and paragliding. 22 ski resorts offer their services of 126 ski lifts and 2 chair lifts, 91 ski slopes of total of 47 km and 55 cross country ski trails of 653 km in total. In winter stadiums it is possible to do ice-skating or to play ice hockey.

Frenštát pod Radhoštěm

Frenštát pod Radhoštěm City Frenštát pod Radhoštěm lies at the foot of Beskydy that creates a frontier crossing between the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The city has around 11 500 inhabitants. Beautiful surrounding and hospitality attract not only tourists and fans of sports, but also artists and writers. Nowadays, the city is a significant centre of sport and tourism. In Frenštát the tradition lies before all in winter sports, ski jumping and skiing. The association of skiers in the city was established already in 1903. After World War I the members of skiers’ associations and other sport and tourist organizations built up downhill, slalom and ski trails on the slopes of Radhošť, sledge track, ski jumps and in 940 also a chair lift from Ráztoka to Pustevny. The surrounding of the city also offers a lot of opportunities for hiking, riding on mountain bike or paragliding. International competitions take place regularly in riding area in Frenštát. Indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and race circuit for go-karts are at the disposal of the visitors of the city. Frenštát is a home of Karel Loprais, the racer, who takes part in the international motor truck rally with his vehicle Tatra, and Jiří Raška – Olympic winner in ski jumping from year 1968 in Grenoble.

Frýdek-Místek

Today’s double town, district town Frýdek-Místek, was established on 1st January 1943 by uniting of two formerly independent towns, Moravian Místek and Silesian Frýdek. Ostravice River, which flows through, formed territorial boundaries between Moravia and Silesia until 1st December1928. Frýdek lies on the right bank of Ostravice River, right under the confluence with Morávka River. Místek, on the other hand, lies on the left bank of Ostravice River. Ostravice River together with Morávka River are characterised by very fluctuating flow rate; summer flood flushes caused vast damages in the past during disastrous floods. Today it faces flood flushes of dams Šance and Morávka.

Nový Jičín

In a picturesque hollow on southern edge of Moravská brána lies Nový Jičín. This town is situated on a left bank of Jičínka River; on the east side it approaches Podbeskydská heights. The town originated most likely in 80´s of the 13th century on a crossing of trade routes from Poland and Silesia to Bohemia and Kingdom of Hungary. The appearance of the town was most affected by building enthusiasm of lords of Žerotín in the 16th century – Castle of Žerotín is still one of the most sought-after sights of the whole region. As a seat of the District Homeland Study Museum it represents to public, among other numerous continuous exhibitions, before all permanent exposition of hats, apart from other reasons also in order to remind the long-term traditional textile industry, which together with light engineering had merit in a big heyday of the town in the 18th and 19th century. The attraction of the town lies in the square composition of the square, fringed with arcades, and rectangularly founded late-medieval adjacent lanes. The oldest building is so called Stará pošta (Old Post Office) (1563), today the City Cultural Centre, whose summer classical and avant-garde events make the stay in ancient centre for the inhabitants and tourists more pleasant. Recently restored permanent theatre of Beskydy offers a wide range of productions during the whole year. Cultural events are made interesting also by members of two historical foot regiments, who among others also keep memory of General Laudon, who died in 1790 in Nový Jičín. On the first weekend in September the city organizes a large city festival, which traditionally represents a successful grand finale of the summer programme season. City monument reservation (declared in 1967) does not look down lethargically on passer-bys, but enjoys lively activity and creates a unique background to routine everydayness. In 1991 Nový Jičín became a member of Association of historic seats of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia and thanks to exemplary maintenance of precious buildings and also thanks to the effort to its revival, the city could organize a prestige national event several years ago: 4. National Opening of European Heritage Days. Later, in 2001, Nový Jičín became a holder of the Award for the best preparation and realisation of the Programme of regeneration of City monument reservations and zones, and thus also a holder of The Award of "Historical City of the year 2001".

Rožnov pod Radhoštěm

Rožnov pod Radhoštěm lies at the foot of a hallowed Radhošť Mount in the valley of Rožnovská Bečva. It is embedded in the heart of Beskydy and Vsetínské vrchy. From the second half of the 19th century it belongs to the best-known tourist centre of Valašsko. Municipalities Hážovice and Tylovice are its integrated parts. The city has 18067 inhabitants.

Valašské Meziříčí

Valašské Meziříčí – a road crossing, a railway crossing and a gateway to Beskydy – lies at the confluence of Rožnovská and Vsetínská Bečva. Meziříčí was founded on the left bank of Rožnovská Bečva. Municipalities Bynina, Hrachovec, Juřinka, Krhová, Lhota u Choryně, Podlesí and Poličná are its integrated parts. The city has 27 924 inhabitants.

Photographs Beskydy Mountains