About this place
Jurkovič's Lookout Tower stands on Karlův kopec, a hill rising above Rožnov pod Radhoštěm right next to the Wallachian Village section of the Valašské muzeum v přírodě (Wallachian Open Air Museum). Although architect Dušan Jurkovič drew up the design back in 1896, the tower itself wasn't built until 2012 - so its "birth certificate" carries a date more than a century older than the timber it's made of.
Who designed the tower, and why did it take so long to build?
Dušan Jurkovič was one of the most influential architects working along the Moravian-Slovak border at the turn of the 20th century, best known for the Libušín and Maměnka buildings on Pustevny. His sketch for a lookout tower above Rožnov sat unrealized for more than a hundred years until the town finally decided, in 2012, to build the wooden structure according to his original drawings.
How was it built?
The tower reaches 31.09 metres, with the viewing platform positioned at 18.8 metres. Construction leaned heavily on traditional craftsmanship: all the metalwork and tinwork, along with most of the carpentry and detailing, was done by hand using old techniques rarely applied today. The result echoes the folk Art Nouveau style Jurkovič is known for from his other buildings in the Beskids.
What can you see from the platform?
The viewing platform offers a circular panorama over the area around Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, and on clear days the Javorníky mountain range comes into view as well. Because the tower sits on a wooded hill, the view takes in both the rooftops of the Wallachian Village directly below and the surrounding ridges of the Wallachian Beskids.
How do you get to Jurkovič's Lookout Tower?
The starting point is the car park at the Valašské muzeum v přírodě in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. From there, a trail of roughly 1.1 km leads to the top of Karlův kopec, gaining almost 100 metres in elevation. It's a short walk but includes some uphill stretches, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
When is the best time to visit?
Clear weather is worth waiting for, since it's what lets you make out the Javorníky range in the distance. As the trailhead sits right at the museum entrance, many visitors combine the climb with a tour of the Wallachian Village on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed Jurkovič's Lookout Tower? Architect Dušan Jurkovič, also known for Libušín and Maměnka on Pustevny. He drew up the design in 1896, but the tower wasn't actually built until 2012.
How tall is the tower? 31.09 metres, with the viewing platform at 18.8 metres.
How far is the walk from the car park? About 1.1 km from the Valašské muzeum v přírodě car park, with roughly 100 metres of elevation gain.
What views does the platform offer? A panorama of the area around Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, plus the Javorníky range on clear days.
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