Lampelberg

Lampelberg is a small vineyard lookout tower standing among the vines on the Czech-Austrian border, in the cadastral area of the village of Vrbovec, between the settlements of Dyjákovičky and Hnízdo. Its name comes from the sheep once grazed on the surrounding hill — the German word for lambs gave its name first to the hill, and later to the tower itself.

Where did the tower come from?

Lampelberg was built in 1860 on the initiative of Count Vilém Hugo Ferdinand von Hompesch-Bollheim, owner of the nearby Jaroslavice estate. It was meant as a viewing pavilion, a spot from which to take in the vineyards spreading out below and the line of the Austrian border beyond. The tower sits on the highest point of the former Ječmeniště vineyard plot, with views reaching across South Moravia toward the neighboring country.

For several decades the building carried the status of a protected cultural monument, from 3 May 1958 until it was removed from the register on 31 December 1987.

What does Lampelberg look like?

The structure is made up of a round tower, a small room at its base once used by the vineyard guard (hotař), and a stable for horses. It is a modest, intimate building — closer to a watchtower and viewpoint than a grand chateau — but that simplicity, combined with its setting right among the vines, is exactly what makes it an unusual stop on a trip through the region.

What can visitors do there today?

During the season, Lampelberg hosts a seasonal wine bar run by the Lahofer winery, where visitors can taste wines produced from the surrounding vineyards while looking out over the landscape toward the Austrian border. The tower stands close to the Ječmeniště natural monument, so it pairs well with a walk through the nearby vineyard slopes.

How do you get to Lampelberg?

A footpath leads to the tower from Dyjákovičky, and a paved road also branches off the route between Dyjákovičky and Hnízdo, running through the vineyards to end right at Lampelberg. It is a typical destination for a walk or bike ride through the Znojmo wine region, easy to combine with visits to the surrounding villages and vineyards.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lampelberg? It is a small 19th-century lookout tower built among the vineyards on the Czech-Austrian border, near the villages of Hnízdo and Dyjákovičky.

Who built Lampelberg and when? Count Vilém Hugo Ferdinand von Hompesch-Bollheim, owner of the Jaroslavice estate, had it built in 1860 as a viewing pavilion.

Where does the name Lampelberg come from? The name derives from the sheep (lambs) once grazed on this hill.

Can Lampelberg be visited? Yes, the tower is accessible year-round, and in season the Lahofer winery runs a wine bar there where visitors can taste local wines.

How do you reach Lampelberg on foot? The easiest way is on foot from Dyjákovičky, or via the paved road that runs through the vineyards from the Dyjákovičky–Hnízdo route.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes, the Ječmeniště natural monument lies right next to it, along with the extensive vineyard landscape typical of the Znojmo wine region.