Mořice Castle

Mořice Castle is a baroque chateau standing in the village of Mořice, in the Prostějov district of the Olomouc Region, Moravia. The building rose on the site of a medieval stronghold, survived a fire in the early 19th century and a subsequent Empire-style rebuild, and today serves locals as a library, housing, and a pub.

What stood here before the castle?

Long before the present chateau, Mořice was home to a fortified manor house, a tvrz, first recorded in written sources in 1384. Its oldest surviving remnants, possibly dating back to the 13th century, are partially preserved to the north of today's building — the only physical trace left of that much earlier stage of settlement.

When was the current castle built?

The baroque chateau seen today was raised on the site of the old tvrz toward the end of the 17th century, likely around 1700. Work on the building continued for another decade: records confirm that the tower now dominating the whole complex was completed in 1709.

What changed after the 1807 fire?

A fire swept through the castle in 1807, destroying a large part of the structure. Reconstruction did not follow immediately — it only got underway after 1816, and it was carried out in the Empire style. That post-fire rebuild is what gave the chateau the facade visitors see today.

Who owned the castle over the centuries?

Until 1620, the Mořice estate belonged to the Žerotín family. After taking part in the Estates uprising against the Habsburgs, the family lost the property to confiscation, and it passed to Maxmilián, Prince of Liechtenstein. In 1784, Emperor Joseph II dissolved the Paulician monastic order, which had held the estate, transferring the chateau to a religious fund instead. Ownership changed again in 1885, when Archbishop Fürstenberg purchased the estate for the Archbishopric of Olomouc. Church ownership lasted until 1924, when the remaining land was parceled out among residents of Mořice, Němčice, Nezamyslice, and Vrchoslavice.

What does the castle look like and how is it used today?

The building's most recognizable feature remains its tall, dominant tower, visible from much of the village. There is no museum or restored period interior open inside — the rooms have been converted into a municipal library, residential apartments, and a pub. Visits are occasional rather than run on a regular schedule, which is worth keeping in mind before planning a trip.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Right next to the castle stands the Church of St. Martin, regarded as an interesting example of local sacred architecture — a natural, neighboring stop for anyone taking a short walk around Mořice after seeing the chateau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mořice Castle located? In the village of Mořice, in the Prostějov district of the Olomouc Region, Moravia, Czech Republic.

Can you visit Mořice Castle? Access to the interior is occasional rather than regular, since the building now houses a library, apartments, and a pub rather than a museum with set opening hours.

Who built the castle? The current baroque chateau was built toward the end of the 17th century on the site of an older medieval stronghold first mentioned in 1384; its tower was finished in 1709.

Why does the castle have an Empire-style look? After a fire in 1807, the chateau was only rebuilt starting in 1816, and that reconstruction gave it the Empire-style appearance still visible today.

Who owned the castle through history? Owners included the Žerotín family (until 1620), the Princes of Liechtenstein, the Paulician order, a religious fund, and, from 1885 to 1924, the Archbishopric of Olomouc.