STYLE
“Moravian Bethlehem” in Winter
The Moravian-Silesian Region attracted 10% more tourists than in the previous year. In the 3rd quarter
of 2018, the greatest number of overnight visitors came to the tourist region of Beskyd-Wallachia
(113,362), where tourists also spent the greatest sum of nights.
With no doubt, one of the biggest
jewels of the region is Štramberk
— a picturesque town in the foothills of
the Beskyd Mountains that is easy to
recognize from afar thanks to the unique
skyline of the Trúba tower. For its beauty,
that is even more striking when covered
with snow, the town is called Moravian
Bethlehem,
The historical centre of the town, that was
founded by John Henry of Luxemburg,
the brother of Emperor Charles IV in the
1300s, consists of a unique set of town
houses in the square. Brick houses stand in
contrast to timber ones with shingle roofs,
nowadays typical mainly for the countryside
of Wallachia. The system of streets,
lanes, steps and passages is arranged in
a mysterious maze with an outstanding
atmosphere which is accentuated by
the sweet smell of the local speciality
— Štramberské uši (Ears of Štramberk).
The gingerbread cones are baked in
many homes in memory of a victory over
Mongolian hordes plundering this area in
the 1200s.
It is definitely worth staying in Štramberk
for a few days and exploring the world
-famous archaeological site — the Šipka
cave. You can stay in many cozy hotels, e.g.
Hotel Gong or Hotel Šipka where the first
Czechoslovak President T. G. Masaryk was
accommodated.
POSITIV ǀ 4/2018 67