REGION Frýdecký zámek

Beskid Museum in Frýdek-Místek One of the crown jewels in the mull of the Beskid Mountains, the witness of the region’s history, is Chateau Frýdek, the primary seat of the Beskid Museum in Frýdek-Místek, an organization established and funded by the Government of the Moravian-Silesian Region. Another site managed by the museum is Hukvaldy Castle, one of the largest castles in the Czech Republic and a popular tourist destination since the 19th century. Chateau Frýdek is situated on a high point upon the Ostravice River, dominating the Chateau Square (Zámecké náměstí) in the centre of the town. Since 1960 it has been managed by the Beskid Museum in Frýdek-Místek who opened it to the public. In addition to exhibitions and permanent expositions, it houses a research library, concise photo archives, and, from spring to autumn, people can visit its mycological botanic collection and bryological parlour. Visitors interested in history may walk the same floors as Maria Christine, daughter of the Habsburg empress Maria Theresa, used to walk, see stylish halls with historical furniture, or walk up to the gloriet–a lookout tower which offers the view of Pustevny and St Barbora Chapel. Fans of secrets and mysteries will love the stories, tales and legends related to the chateau. The legendary figure of the region below the Lysá Mountain is Ondráš, the outlaw who was imprisoned in a small cell in the chateau. Those who are attracted to the landscape and folk traditions can come see a new interactive exposition, The Beskids – Nature and People (Beskydy - příroda

a lidé). It will show visitors traditional crafts, local ways to earn a living, religious habits of the late 19th century, and it will also introduce the fauna and flora of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids. Hukvaldy Castle, originally a medieval protective castle, later on an administration centre of the large Hukvaldy estate, burnt down in 1762, and is one of the greatest castle ruins in Moravia. The path you will take to get to the castle will lead you through a fallow deer park where there is a famous statue of the Cunning Little Vixen, the famous character out of Leoš Janáček’s popular opera. The composer often came to this castle and is one of the greatest personalities connected with this location. This is why the place became the home of the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival (Mezinárodní hudební festival Leoše Janáčka). The magnificent castle ruins are also on display in two 3D models showing the present shape and a reconstruction of the castle’s look in the late 17th century, truly emphasizing the majestic impression of this castle so large its outside walls alone add up to a kilometre total.

Text: archiv Muzea Beskyd Frýdek-Místek, příspěvkové organizace Foto: archiv MSK www.msk.cz www. muzeumbeskyd.com

POSITIV 4/2019 ǀ 57