Tovačov – Castle History, Lakes and Cultural Heritage

Tovačov combines castle history, Jewish heritage, historic memorial sites and distinctive waterscapes. When planning your trip, the key question is whether you would prefer to focus on culture and local history or on lakes and cycling routes. Both themes are represented by specific places and experiences.

Castle, Art and Historical Traces

The guided tour of Zámek Tovačov covers the owners of the estate, the architectural and art-historical development of the castle, and important personalities associated with Tovačov. The castle gallery complements this focus with a permanent exhibition of visual art, including works by the academic sculptor Bohumil Teplý. This gives you two different ways of experiencing the site: the tour places the castle in its historical context, while the gallery puts individual works of art in the foreground.

Tovačovské náměstí was laid out in 1475 and is one of the oldest squares in the Bohemian lands. The memorials and crosses of Památky 1866 commemorate the events of the Austro-Prussian War and the Battle of Tovačov on 15 July 1866. The Museum of the Jewish Community presents the history of Jews worldwide, in the Bohemian lands and in Tovačov in the ceremonial hall of the Jewish cemetery. The ceremonial chapel of the Jewish cemetery in Tovačov was built in 1889 in the Neo-Renaissance style, based on a design by the architect M. Fleischer.

Lakes, Reeds and Cycling Routes

At Hradecký rybník, accessible paths run along the dams and offer views of the water and extensive reed beds. Tovačovská jezera consists of four separate bodies of water: Annínské jezero, Troubecké jezero, Skašovské jezero and Donbas Lake. The area provides a habitat for several specially protected animal species, including around 70 bird species and more than 30 fish species.

For cyclists, two different routes provide orientation: the Cyklostezka Bečva runs around Tovačovská jezera. The cycling route from Olomouc to Tovačov is part of the long-distance Moravská stezka No. 4. The two routes clearly differ in their course: one runs around the lakes, while the other runs between Olomouc and Tovačov. Swimming is subject to a clear restriction: it is permitted only in Annín Pond, which is locally known as the “Tovačov Riviera”.

Regional culture also has its own distinctive character: “Tovačovské fěrtóšek” is a gathering of children’s ensembles from the Haná region. If you are looking for accommodation in Tovačov, you can therefore decide on your focus in advance: castles, art, squares and commemorative culture on one side, and lakes, reed beds and cycling routes on the other. This comparison will help you determine the desired mix of cultural discoveries and landscape experiences for your trip.

Further Places for Your Research

For your further research, here are some additional places: Grymov, Dřevohostice, Pavlovice U Přerova, Provodovice, Bohuslávky, Tučín, Bezuchov and Horní Moštěnice.

To the higher-level travel overview: Přerov District.