Velke Losiny chateau - one of the best preserved czech renaissance chateaux situated in the large romantical valley of the Desna river between the first hills of Jeseniky. It was built by Jan of Zerotin junior in 1589 as a renaissance building on the remains of an older stronghold. Building plans changed more
times during the construction. To the main northern rectangular part two wings were added, a chapel (built into the west wing, rebuilt in 1742 in baroque style) and an
octagonal five storey tower. On the east side of the castle there is another renaissance building which served the administration staff of the Velke Losiny estate. The castle is connected by a covered corridor. The romantic castle park with a small lake is displayed further along the valley in the direction to the Velke Losiny city center.
Velke Losiny was the seat of the powerful Zerotins family, from 1496 to 1802. This small town has several tourist attractions which make it worth a visit - one of the most beautiful renaissavne chateax with its history of burning of sorcerors at the end of the 17
th century, minor spa with thermal swimming pool opened to the public and
the oldest handmade paper mill in the Central Europe.
The Handmade Paper Mill in Velke Losiny was founded in 1596 by Jan of Zerotin. At the Mill, paper is made by hand using original formulas and processes that have come down through the centuries. During its long history, the Mill has become world-known for the high-quality craftmanship, and its products have received international awards and recognition at many trade shows. By the way - the office of the president of the Czech Republic officially uses this Mill's paper. A
Paper Museum is housed at the Mill where visitors can acquaint themselves with the history and development of papermaking. The Museum is the only one of this kind in the Czech Republic. Also on the Mill grounds, there is a company store and a gallery of the work of artists that use Velke Losiny handmade papers as medium.
In the 17
th and 18
th centuries this part of northern Moravia was swept by
a wave of witch and vampire hysteria. Mr. Frantisek Boblig from Edelstadt didn't finish his studies of law in Prague but took advantage of his connections at the Court of Justice to become a master inquisitor. A beggar Marina Schuch stole the Host in a church to give it to the ill cow of her friend Dorota Groer and was caught "in flagranti". Both women were arrested and at the torture they confessed that they had participated on sabbaths on Peter's stones near the Praded hill. They pointed at some of their relatives and Boblig started a horrible process of investigation.
104 persons were burned alive during the next 15 years (1678 - 1693), also very rich residents (victims had to pay for the process) as soapmaker Prerovsky, plater Peschek or burgomaster Sattler. One of Boblig's victims was the priest K.A. Lautner who complained to the Olomouc bishop about Boblig's rampage. This was another face of the baroque 'saint' Czech lands.
Opening hours:
| April & October | May - August | September |
Monday | close | close | close |
Tuesday | close | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 17.00 | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 |
Wednesday | close | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 17.00 | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 |
Thursday | close | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 17.00 | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 |
Friday | close | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 17.00 | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 |
Saturday | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 | 8.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 17.00 | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 |
Sunday | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 | 8.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 17.00 | 9.00 - 12.00 & 13.00 - 16.00 |