Bystřice pod Hostýnem: Castle, Crafts and Recreation

Bystřice pod Hostýnem combines urban history, a vibrant craft tradition and excursion destinations in the surroundings of the Podhostýnsko recreational area. The town is considered a starting point for this region. At the same time, it continues to preserve a furniture-making tradition that is presented particularly vividly in several exhibitions. The connection between the town and its surroundings can be seen both in the cultural sites and in the trails and leisure activities.

Castle, Ceramics and Furniture History

Bystřice pod Hostýnem Castle is the town’s most important monument and dates from the first half of the 15th century. On the ground floor of the main building, the exhibition “Ceramics, the Guilds of Bystřice and František Táborský’s Study” presents ceramics from the 18th and 19th centuries. The section on the guilds of Bystřice introduces craftspeople from the Podhostýnsko microregion. A visit to the castle thus combines architectural history with the region’s everyday and craft history.

An exhibition on historic bentwood furniture covers pieces by the Thonet, Kohn, Fischel and Mundus brands from the second half of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. Thonet Villa was built between 1873 and 1877 as a residence for the manufacturer’s family. Today, it houses a modern sales exhibition by TON, a. s., a manufacturer of bentwood furniture that continues the Thonet tradition. The villa complements the historical exhibition with a place where this tradition continues into present-day production.

The “Exhibition of Napoleonic Soldiers” focuses on a military hospital, the uniforms of a surgeon and his assistant, replicas of firearms and edged weapons, and the equipment of the artillery and drummers. This adds another historical subject area to the castle, clearly distinct from ceramics and furniture history.

Educational Trail, Water and Activity

The Chodník Masarykových educational trail begins at Bystřice pod Hostýnem Castle and ends at the Švajgrovka chalet in Chvalčov. Its route gives the day’s planning a clear structure: the castle marks the beginning and the chalet the end. For travel by bicycle, the Hostýnské vrchy cycle bus runs from Zlín via Troják and Tesák to Bystřice pod Hostýnem and back.

The Bystřice pod Hostýnem outdoor pool is located in Zahájené City Park and features an almost 50-metre-long swimming pool, two slides, a paddling pool and a beach volleyball court. Swimming, sliding, paddling and beach volleyball appeal to different paces of a day spent here. Bystřice pod Hostýnem also has an approximately 257 m long asphalt track with artificial waves and banked turns. On the track, it is not the length alone that matters, but the sequence of waves and turns.

Regional culture is also part of the townscape: the lively folklore traditions from the borderland between Valašsko and Záhoří culminate every two years in the international “Na rynku v Bystřici” festival. The biennial rhythm links the tradition with a recurring festival experience.

Which location suits your stay?

If you would like to combine the castle, exhibitions, the start of the educational trail and the Podhostýnsko recreational area, you can consider Bystřice pod Hostýnem as a base for your stay. The cultural sites and activity options can be given different emphasis depending on your preferred pace for the day. For other places in the surrounding area, see Hoštice, Nová Dědina, Cetechovice, Skaštice, Ludslavice, Koryčany, Bezměrov and Hulín.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kroměříž District.