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.

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