Státní zámek Jánský Vrch

About the museum

A fortress stood on the hill above Javorník probably as early as the second half of the 13th century; the first written mention is from 1307, when it belonged to the princes of Świdnica. From 1348 it was owned by the bishops of Wrocław and, with brief interruptions, remained in the bishopric's possession for centuries. The Hussite Wars damaged it, and at the end of the 15th century Bishop Jan Roth began to rebuild it on a grand scale. Bishop Jan Thurzo completed the late Gothic alterations in 1509 and renamed the castle after St John the Baptist, patron of the bishops of Wrocław.

In the 18th century Bishop Filip Gotthard Schaffgotsch rebuilt the fortress as a Baroque chateau. In 1769 he invited the composer Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf here; he composed and performed here for almost thirty years and created around forty comic operas, making the chateau a music centre of Silesia. At the beginning of the 19th century Bishop Josef Kryštof Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Bartenstein completed the summer residence. In 1856–1857 the poet Joseph von Eichendorff visited the chateau twice; a stone viewpoint in front of the chateau is named after him.

The state took over the chateau on lease in 1959, and after a property settlement between the Polish and Czech Catholic churches it passed to the state in 1984. Today it is managed by the National Heritage Institute, and since 1 January 2002 it has been a national cultural monument. The tours lead through the representative rooms, which hold one of the largest pipe collections in the Czech Republic, and through the service buildings, guest rooms and chateau attic; a separate tour is intended for families with children.

Highlights

• Pipe exhibition: one of the largest collections in the Czech Republic
• Preserved service buildings and gas lighting
• Musical tradition associated with the composer Ditters von Dittersdorf
• Chateau attic with a clock mechanism and a side tower
• Tour “Chateau for Children”, in costume, for children aged 4–8

Permanent exhibitions

• Reprezentační místnosti a expozice dýmek – Furnished rooms with mostly original fittings from the 19th century, complemented by artworks; the sculptures and paintings from the upper chapel, ranging from the late Gothic to the Baroque, and one of the largest collections of pipes in the Czech Republic adorn them.
• Hospodářské zázemí zámku – Kitchen, servants' dining room, the caretaker's flat, bathroom, mangling room and laundry; the route runs through both courtyards.

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa v Kroměříži

Admission & discounts

The basic price applies to the Representative Rooms and Pipe Exhibition tour (50 minutes, max. 35 people). Payment is possible by card or in cash. Free admission applies to children under 5, the guide of a ZTP/P card holder, the educational supervisor of school groups (1 adult per 10 children), the guide of a group of 15 or more, and holders of NPÚ tickets and of the Na památky pass. The tour is in Czech only; foreign-language tours are not offered.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 website does not give detailed accessibility information for the tours.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+

• Family tours & workshops

For families with children aged 4–8, the Chateau for Children tour with a guide in costume, tasks and a small reward at the end is suitable; winter programmes with Christmas themes are held.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit