Slezskoostravský hrad
Restored Gothic and Renaissance castle in Ostrava, with a castle tower, gallery and exhibitions on the history of the castle, blacksmithing and Silesian-Ostrava coal.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Gothic castle was built in the 13th century by the Piast dukes of Těšín on the right bank of the Ostravice, to guard the border between Bohemia and Poland. It is indirectly recorded in an agreement of 1297, under which the Polish-Moravian border ran along the Ostravice. From 1508 to 1560 the castle and estate were held by Jan Sedlnický of Choltice, and his son Jiří rebuilt it into a Renaissance château with the help of Italian stonemasons and builders; it became the political centre of the region.
The Thirty Years’ War devastated the castle, and it never again served as a family seat; it was used to administer the estate and as a manorial court. In 1714 it was bought by Count Jindřich Vilém Wilczek, whose family owned it until 1945. After coal was discovered, mining moved ever closer to the castle from 1787, and from the 1890s mining subsidence caused damage; the castle sank by 8–11 metres. The main palace became uninhabitable from 1918, and bombing in 1944 damaged the remaining parts.
Plans for a cultural centre in 1979–1989 led to unauthorised demolitions, and the building remained unfinished. In 2000 the castle was bought by the City of Ostrava; its operation is run by the company Černá louka s.r.o., and after restoration it was opened to the public in 2004. Of the original buildings, two rooms (today a chapel and a cellar), parts of the walls, a section of the fortifications and a Renaissance gate with a tower have survived. Today the castle is a popular destination for cultural events and exhibitions.
Highlights
- castle tower, terraces and gallery with views over Ostrava
- cellars with the history of the castle
- exhibition on Silesian-Ostrava coal and the Arctic
- forge where a real blacksmith works
- audio guide and guided tours
Permanent exhibitions
- Sklepení s historií hradu – Cellar spaces with an explanation of the history of the castle and its owners.
- Země na obzoru!!! aneb Jak slezskoostravské uhlí dobývalo Arktidu – Exhibition on how Silesian-Ostrava coal reached the polar regions.
- Kovárna – Exhibition in a blacksmith’s workshop, to which a real blacksmith comes to work.
- Operated by
- Černá louka s.r.o. (hrad vlastní statutární město Ostrava)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 100 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 60 Kčchildren aged 6–15, students aged 16–26, seniors from 63, holders of TP, ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Children & teens | 60 Kčfree up to age 2 · children aged 6–15; children aged 3–5 pay CZK 30, children up to 2 years old enter free |
| Seniors | 60 Kčfrom 63 |
| Visitors with disabilities | 60 Kčcompanion free · holders of TP, ZTP and ZTP/P; a companion of a ZTP/P holder enters free |
| Students & apprentices | 60 Kčaged 16–26 |
| Groups (15+ people) | 90 Kč per persongroups of 15 or more: adults CZK 90, children aged 6–15, students and seniors CZK 50, CZK 20 for children aged 3–5; group escort free |
| Families | 240 Kč2 adults and up to 3 children under 15 |
| Children aged 3–5 | 30 Kč |
Payment is possible with common payment cards. The castle is part of the OSTRAVACARD project; partners of Černá louka s.r.o. admit holders of the 2026 black card.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The castle is only partly step-free. The gallery, the tower and the terraces are reachable only by stairs. The accessible toilet can be opened with a Eurokey.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 240 Kč · 2 adults and up to 3 children under 15 |
Family admission applies to families: 2 adults and up to 3 children under 15.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Důl Zárubek
Trams No. 4 and 12 stop at Důl Zárubek (exceptionally U Hradu), trolleybuses No. 101 and 107 and bus No. 38 at the stops Slezská Ostrava kostel and Ústřední hřbitov, and bus No. 71 only at Slezská Ostrava kostel.
By car
Parking available · 10-min walk to the entrance
There are two public car parks on Hradní náměstí; the car park directly at the gate is for castle management only. Another public car park is on Černá louka, about 10 minutes on foot away.
It is about 15 minutes on foot from Masarykovo náměstí. A cycle path runs along the Ostravice river (Havlíčkovo nábřeží), as does the Frýdek-Místek – Landek cycle path.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The castle offers hire of premises and a ceremonial hall.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | During your visit you may be photographed or filmed to promote the operator. |
| Good to know | An audio guide is available at the castle, as well as a range of programmes for schools. Dogs may enter the grounds only with a muzzle and on a lead, and may not enter the interior rooms. |
