The kiss of the Muse

Mozart’s parents fled to Olomouc due to an outbreak of smallpox which plagued Vienna in 1767. Mozart was only 11 at the time, yet he was giving concerts all over Europe. However, the escape did not help, as young Mozart developed the symptoms of smallpox during his first night in the city. At first, the family stayed at the U Černého orla Inn, but Wolfgang’s father ultimately took advantage of his acquaintance with the capitular dean, who accommodated the family in the building of today’s Archdiocesan Museum. Thanks to this, Mozart soon recovered and started composing again, creating Symphony No. 6 in F major in Olomouc.

Olomouc Castle and Archdiocesan Museum

The castle is first mentioned in the Chronicle of the Bohemians by Cosmas of Prague, stating that a stone castle stood here in 1055. At the time, the Olomouc castle was the seat of the Přemyslid princes. The Diocese of Olomouc was officially established in 1063. The appanage princes of Olomouc shared the castle with the Bishops of Olomouc.

It now houses the Archdiocesan Museum, which exhibits genuine liturgical and artistic treasures from the collections of the church officials of Olomouc, as well as a collection of Mozart’s manuscripts and letters as part of the permanent exhibition.

Tips in the environs

• U Černého orla Inn – the original inn where Mozart’s family was accommodated was located in today’s Hauenschild Palace on the Lower Square. You can enjoy a delicious meal there even today in Hanácká hospoda. In addition to classic Moravian recipes with a modern touch, you can also order salads and vegetarian meals.
• Museum of Art Olomouc – the museum focuses on contemporary arts.
• Street art – large-scale murals in the streets of Olomouc, created during several editions of the Street Art Festival.

Accommodation tips

• Long Story Short
• Herbarium Boutique Hotel

Restaurant tips

• Eatery & Bakery Long Story Short
• Moravská hospoda

One of the most important Czech painters of the 19th century, Josef Mánes is considered the master of Czech figural and landscape painting of the Romantic and Realist periods. Mánes was a frequent guest of Silva-Tarouca family at Čechy pod Kosířem Chateau, where he created a number of works inspired by the local Haná landscape.

Čechy pod Kosířem Chateau

This picturesque Neo-Classicist chateau surrounded by a vast English-style park took its present form in the second half of the 18th century. There are several guided tours available. There is the classic tour of the chateau interiors from the era of the last owners, which also includes a collection of paintings by Josef Mánes, unparalleled in the Czech Republic. It is also possible to visit the Film Exhibition dedicated to the films of Zdeněk & Jan Svěrák (Kolya), and the Exhibit of Vintage Bicycles.

Tips in the environs

• Náměšť na Hané Chateau – Čechy pod Kosířem chateau has more paintings by Mánes, but this chateau’s other exhibits are much richer.

Accommodation tips

• Bělecký mlýn, Zdětín
• Penzion Majorka, Slatinice

Restaurant tips

• Bělecký mlýn, Zdětín
• Koliba a pivovar U Tří králů, Prostějov

Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf was a composer working at the court of the Bishop of Wroclaw at his summer residence in Jánský Vrch Chateau. With a bit of a stretch, you can say that just as the Archbishop of Salzburg had his Mozart, the Bishop of Wroclaw had his Ditters.

Jánský Vrch Chateau

This charming chateau overlooking the town of Javorník became the centre of cultural, and especially musical life in Silesia in the 1770s, thanks to composer, top violinist, and conductor Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. He not only composed here, but also put together an orchestra for which he hired excellent musicians and singers from Moravia and Silesia. Ditters even persuaded the bishop to establish a theatre at the chateau where his operas for various occasions were staged.

Tips in the environs

• Burgher House of Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf – located on Puškinova St. in Javorník, the house is a national monument and part of the Javorník Urban Conservation Area.

Accommodation tips

• Hotel Pod Zámkem, Javorník
• Penzion & Kemp Račí údolí, Javorník

Restaurant tips

• Hospůdka Isolde, Javorník
• Restaurace Taverna, Javorník