Vizovice Castle

Vizovice Castle is a late Baroque chateau standing in the heart of the small town of Vizovice, right below the Vizovice Hills in eastern Moravia. Regarded as one of the finest chateaux in the region, it holds richly preserved period interiors and a notable collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings.

How did the castle come to be?

The site's story begins in 1261 with the founding of the Cistercian monastery of Smilheim. Its location close to the border with the Kingdom of Hungary proved unlucky for the monks — repeated troop movements through the area, and later the devastation of the Hussite Wars, took a heavy toll on the monastic community. After the monastery's decline, the estate eventually passed into secular hands, and a new residence began to take shape on the old abbey's foundations.

The chateau itself was built in the mid-18th century on the initiative of Herman Hannibal of Blümegen, a canon of Olomouc who later became Bishop of Hradec Králové. Construction was overseen by Franz Anton Grimm (1710–1784), a prominent Brno-based architect who designed the building in the fashionable French style of the period. In the early 19th century, through family ties, the estate passed to the Stillfried family, who kept expanding the picture gallery until 1945.

After the Second World War, the chateau came under state administration and has been open to visitors since 1948. In 2001, a resolution of the Czech government granted it the status of a national cultural monument.

What will you see inside?

Today the chateau operates as a museum of Baroque residential culture, and the description is well earned. The interiors have survived in exceptional condition, furnished with pieces in the Baroque, Rococo, Empire and Classicist styles. Add to that an extensive porcelain collection of varied origin, oriental objects, and the gallery's most valuable canvases, including works by Dutch and Flemish masters.

Two tour routes run through the building. The first leads through the representative first-floor rooms — a ceremonial hall, a music room, bedrooms and a bathroom — while the second reveals the more private side of the chateau: a library, a children's room and the servants' quarters. A recently restored chapel is a highlight in its own right.

When is the best time to visit?

The chateau operates seasonally, with the full tour schedule running through the summer months — the best window to take in both routes at a relaxed pace. The castle garden, laid out in a combined French and English style, is freely accessible year-round without a ticket, making it a worthwhile stop even outside the interior visiting season, whether for a walk or simply resting under its old trees.

How do you get there?

Vizovice sits in the Zlín Region, close to the larger towns of eastern Moravia, so reaching it by car or regional transport is straightforward. The chateau stands right in the town centre, so no extra transfer is needed once you arrive — it's typically just a few minutes' walk from the main square.

Frequently asked questions

Is the castle open all year round? Interior tours run seasonally, with the fullest schedule in summer; the castle garden, however, stays open free of charge throughout the year.

How many tour routes are there? Two main routes: one through the representative first-floor rooms, the other through the private interiors and servants' quarters.

What's the highlight of the interior collection? The gallery of Dutch and Flemish paintings, alongside the exceptionally well-preserved Baroque, Rococo, Empire and Classicist furnishings.

Is entry to the garden free? Yes — the French-and-English-style castle garden is freely accessible; a ticket is only required for the interior tours.