Veselíčko Castle

Veselíčko Castle is a late Baroque residence in the small village of Veselíčko, in the Přerov District of northern Moravia. It does not have the scale of a great aristocratic seat, but it carries several centuries of history — from a medieval settlement, through a Renaissance stronghold, to an 18th-century mansion surrounded by one of the region's most notable parks.

How far back does Veselíčko's history go?

The village of Veselíčko is first recorded in written sources in 1275, making it one of the older settlements around Přerov. The fortified building itself, however, came much later: it was raised in the mid-16th century by the Bobolusk family, who also set up a brewery on the site. From that point on, Veselíčko became the administrative centre of the surrounding estate.

Which family shaped the castle's fate?

In 1573 the estate passed to the Podstatský family of Prusinovice, who held it without interruption until 1945 — nearly four centuries under a single lineage. From the 18th century the family used the name Podstatský-Lichtenštejn. It was under their ownership, in 1768–1769, that architect Thalherr of Fulnek carried out a full reconstruction of the older stronghold, giving the building the late Baroque form it still shows today. A domestic chapel had already been added to the structure in the 17th century.

What happened here during the Napoleonic Wars?

The early 19th century gave Veselíčko a very different function. After the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, the mansion was turned into a field hospital, and it served the same purpose again after the Battle of Wagram in 1809 and the Battle of Leipzig in 1813. A military cemetery was laid out on the hillside above the estate, where around 700 soldiers who died of wounds or illness while under treatment were buried.

What makes the castle park worth a stop?

Around the turn of the 20th century, a 5.4-hectare park was planted around the mansion, featuring rare tree species. Part of the grounds was laid out in the French style, with terraces and tall hedges. Regional historians rank this green complex among the most valuable in northern Moravia, both architecturally and botanically. Inside the castle itself, the ground floor retains its barrel vaulting, and the upper floor holds a domestic chapel decorated with stucco ceilings.

Can visitors go inside Veselíčko Castle today?

Since 1945 the building has operated as a residential care and educational institution for children and young people, which means it is not a conventional sightseeing destination. Access to the grounds requires permission from the institution's administration. The castle and its surrounding park are nonetheless protected as a cultural monument, and the park additionally carries protected status as a natural monument.

Frequently asked questions

Is Veselíčko Castle open to tourists? Not in the usual sense. Since 1945 the building has served as a care and educational institution for children and young people, and entering the grounds requires permission from the administration.

Who gave the castle its current appearance? Its present late Baroque form dates from 1768–1769, when architect Thalherr of Fulnek rebuilt the older stronghold on behalf of the Podstatský family.

What is the castle's connection to the Napoleonic Wars? In 1805, 1809 and 1813 it operated as a military hospital for soldiers wounded at the battles of Austerlitz, Wagram and Leipzig; around 700 of them are buried in a cemetery on the hill above the estate.

What is the main highlight of the castle park? A park of more than five hectares planted with rare tree species, including a French-style section with terraces and tall hedges — considered one of the most valuable green complexes in northern Moravia.