Hošťálková Castle

Hošťálková Castle is a modest Empire-style chateau standing right in the centre of the village of Hošťálková in the Wallachia (Valašsko) region, near Vsetín. Behind its understated facade lies a surprisingly dramatic past, spanning a count's estate office, a wartime special-unit base, and a post-war communist party school.

How to get there?

Hošťálková sits a few kilometres west of Vsetín, along the road toward Valašské Meziříčí. Driving is the easiest option, since the chateau stands right along the main street running through the village and is impossible to miss. Vsetín itself is reachable by train and long-distance bus from larger towns in the region, and from there a short local bus ride brings you straight into Hošťálková.

What will you see?

The building was constructed between 1842 and 1844 for Count Frydrych Chorynský z Ledské, who decided to move his estate administration to this location. The design came from Viennese architect František Schleps, giving the chateau its restrained, classicist Empire-style appearance. It is a two-storey structure: the ground floor housed the estate's administrative and office rooms, while the upper floor held the count's private family apartments.

After Frydrych's death, the estate passed in 1861 to Count Viktor Chorinský z Ledské (1838–1901), and later to Count Fridrich Chorinský z Ledské (1867–1947). The Chorinský family retained ownership of the chateau until 1918, the year Czechoslovakia became independent.

The darkest chapter of the building's history unfolded near the end of the Second World War. The chateau was occupied by a special anti-partisan unit, ZbV-Kommando 31, which set up its quarters here and launched operations against local partisans from the site. Captured partisans were interrogated and tortured in the chateau's cellars — a grim episode still remembered by the local community today.

After the war, as part of land reform and the nationalisation of large estates, the building passed into state ownership. It was converted into a boarding political school run by the district committee of the Communist Party in Vsetín, so for a time the former count's residence served the training of party cadres instead of hosting nobility.

Today the chateau belongs to the municipality of Hošťálková, which has restored its role as a lived-in, functioning building — it now houses a restaurant and has once again become a social hub for the village.

When to visit?

Since the chateau currently operates primarily as a restaurant, it's best to plan a visit around its opening hours, which can vary seasonally, so it's worth checking ahead. Spring and summer are ideal for exploring the surrounding Wallachian countryside on foot, while autumn brings colourful scenery that pairs nicely with the building's classicist architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Can Hošťálková Castle be visited like a museum? It doesn't operate as a typical museum with regular guided tours. The building houses a restaurant, so access to the interior mainly comes through visiting the restaurant.

Who built the chateau? It was built between 1842 and 1844 for Count Frydrych Chorynský z Ledské, designed by Viennese architect František Schleps.

What happened at the chateau during the war? Near the end of World War II, the building was occupied by the German anti-partisan unit ZbV-Kommando 31, which used it as a base for operations against partisans and interrogated and tortured captives in its cellars.

Who owns the chateau today? It is owned by the municipality of Hošťálková, which has restored the building and given it new life as a community venue with a restaurant.