Úsov Castle

Úsov Castle is one of the oldest surviving aristocratic residences in northern Moravia, standing above the small town of Úsov in the Šumperk district. It combines medieval origins with a later Baroque rebuild, and today houses one of Central Europe's most remarkable hunting and forestry museums.

How old is Úsov Castle?

Archaeological research suggests the original stronghold was built around the middle of the 13th century, most likely on the order of a Bohemian ruler, with the first written record of the fortress dating to 1260. The stronghold followed the layout of a French-style castle, making it one of the few such fortifications in Moravia. Over the centuries it changed hands and purpose repeatedly, eventually becoming a grand aristocratic seat.

Who owned the castle over the centuries?

Until 1487 the fortified palace was rebuilt by the lords of Vlašim, followed by further alterations under the lords of Boskovice. From the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries the estate passed to the House of Liechtenstein, who added the Baroque wing and remained owners of Úsov until 1945, when the property came under state administration. Since 1995 the castle has belonged to the town of Úsov, which now runs it as a museum and tourist site.

What other roles has the castle played?

For a long period the castle buildings housed the administration of the surrounding estate. Between 1852 and 1867 they were home to the first forestry school in Moravia, followed by a municipal milling and trade school from 1911 to 1914, and a Czech elementary school during the interwar years. This shifting mix of functions reflects how central Úsov was to the economic and educational life of the region.

What can visitors see in the Hunting and Forestry Museum?

The castle's main draw is its Hunting and Forestry Museum, founded in 1898 when Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein approved an exhibition showcasing natural history collections from the family's vast estates together with trophies gathered on hunting expeditions abroad. The collection today totals roughly ten thousand exhibits, including mounted exotic and native animals, antlers, minerals, insects, models of forestry buildings and hunting equipment. Upstairs, visitors find Central European birds and mammals, including bears and wolves, a hall devoted to insects, and an armoury holding a unique collection of weapons confiscated from poachers. The exhibition survives largely as it was arranged by Prince Johann II at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, giving it rare value as a period piece.

Is it worth visiting with family or as part of a regional trip?

Úsov Castle brings together history, natural history and architecture in a single site, which makes it a rewarding stop for families and for anyone touring the castles of the Jeseníky foothills region. The sheer variety of natural specimens and hunting memorabilia appeals equally to history buffs and to visitors curious about the region's wildlife and aristocratic hunting traditions.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Úsov Castle? The original stronghold dates from around the mid-13th century, with the first written mention recorded in 1260.

Who owned the castle? Successively the lords of Vlašim, the lords of Boskovice, and from the turn of the 16th–17th century until 1945 the House of Liechtenstein. Since 1995 the town of Úsov has owned it.

What is on display in the castle museum? The Hunting and Forestry Museum, founded in 1898 by Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein, displays around ten thousand exhibits: hunting trophies, mounted animals, minerals, insects and an armoury of weapons seized from poachers.

Did the castle serve other purposes besides being a family residence? Yes — it housed the estate administration, Moravia's first forestry school (1852–1867), a milling and trade school, and an elementary school during the interwar period.