Pepčín

Pepčín is a hill beneath the Myšince summit in the municipality of Drslavice in Moravia, where the foundations of a once-grand hunting chateau still remain today.

Where does the name Pepčín come from?

The site sits between the towns of Uherský Brod, Drslavice and Vlčnov, in the Uherské Hradiště district of the Zlín Region. Between 1903 and 1905, Count Václav Robert z Kounic, a well-known Moravian patron of science and the arts, built a small hunting chateau here for his young wife, Josefína Horová. The building and the surrounding hill took their name from her nickname, Pepina — a name that has survived long after the chateau itself vanished from the landscape.

What did the chateau look like?

The design came from Václav Winter, a builder based in Olomouc. The result was a pseudo-Romanesque structure on an almost circular ground plan, with a cylindrical central hall rising above the roofline and a five-storey round tower topped with a viewing gallery and battlements. Inside, the chateau housed a library and a valuable art collection, while the surrounding grounds included stables, a landscaped forest park with gazebos, and a small ornamental pond. For several decades, Pepčín stood as a landmark visible across this part of Moravia.

What happened to it?

The chateau stood for only 76 years after its completion. It was plundered at the end of the Second World War and fell into gradual decay over the following decades. Because of its deteriorating condition, the building was finally demolished down to its foundations in 1981.

What can visitors see at Pepčín today?

All that remains of the chateau are its circular foundations and the remnants of a cellar with a well. Nearby, a lookout mound built from rubble and clay now offers a view over the site of the former residence, accompanied by wooden sculptures depicting Count Václav Robert z Kounic and Countess Josefína. The area is freely accessible and popular with hikers and cyclists travelling the trails linking Uherský Brod, Drslavice and Vlčnov. Pepčín also serves as a local gathering spot — residents of the nearby villages traditionally meet here for New Year's Eve celebrations around a bonfire, with sausages and mulled wine.

Frequently asked questions

Are any original buildings still standing at Pepčín? No. The chateau itself was demolished in 1981, and today only the circular foundations and the remains of a cellar with a well can be seen, alongside a modern lookout mound.

Where does the name Pepčín come from? The name comes from Pepina, the nickname of Josefína Horová, wife of Count Václav Robert z Kounic, for whom the chateau was built between 1903 and 1905.

Is the site of the former chateau open to visitors? Yes, the area is freely accessible year-round and is a popular destination for walkers and cyclists exploring the countryside around Uherský Brod, Drslavice and Vlčnov.

Are any events held at Pepčín? Yes, the site regularly hosts local community gatherings, including a well-known New Year's Eve meeting with a bonfire and refreshments.