A Czech town in the Moravian-Silesian hills, known for its folk culture and traditional crafts. Local museums display regional costumes while pubs serve Czech beer and food.
Valašské Meziříčí lies where the Bečva and Vsetínská Bečva rivers meet in Czechia’s Zlín Region. Its name literally means “between the rivers.” Walk the cobblestone streets of its historic center to see the 16th-century Žerotín Castle, the Baroque Kinský Castle with its museum, and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which mixes Gothic arches with Renaissance details. Visit the Moravská gobelínová manufaktura to observe artisans weaving tapestries using methods from the 1800s, or follow the trail linked to Jan Karafiát, who wrote the classic children’s story Broučki. The town’s landscape includes the DEZA chemical plant, one of Europe’s largest, which sits near quiet neighborhoods and forests.
Exploring the Historic Center and Castles
Begin at the main square, where rows of pastel-colored 18th-century houses frame the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The church’s Gothic stonework and later Renaissance updates reveal how the town evolved over time. Walk five minutes to Žerotín Castle, originally built by the Pernštejn family in the 1500s and later redesigned with Baroque elements by the Žerotín family. Today, the castle houses a tourist information desk and temporary art displays. Cross the river to Kinský Castle, a 19th-century Empire-style building now home to the Wallachian Regional Museum. Inside, you’ll find glassware, textiles, and old maps. The museum’s café replicates the style of early 20th-century Czechoslovakia, with period furniture and vintage posters.
Tapestry Workshops and Historical Landmarks
At the Moravská gobelínová manufaktura, you can watch workers repair antique tapestries or weave new ones on large wooden looms. The workshop began in 1898 as a training school for textile artists. A five-minute walk away, a minimalist concrete pillar marks where a synagogue stood before its destruction in 1944. For more insight into the area’s past, visit the Church of St. James, which holds painted ceilings from the 1700s and hand-carved pews.
Walking the Jan Karafiát Trail and Outdoor Spaces
The Jan Karafiát Trail starts at the train station and leads through Botanika Park, past Štěpánov Hill, and into Velká Lhota village, where Karafiát worked as a priest. Signs along the path highlight quotes and illustrations from Broučki. The route ends at Bystřička Reservoir, where people swim or rent paddleboats in summer. A 30-minute hike from the reservoir brings you to Jarcovská kula, a jagged sandstone tower locals say was thrown by the devil. From its base, you can see rolling hills covered in pine trees.
Industry and Transportation Links
DEZA, a chemical plant owned by Agrofert, has been a major employer here since the 1930s. The town’s position where highways and rail lines intersect makes it convenient for trips to the Beskydy Mountains or cities such as Ostrava. Trains run hourly to Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, home to an open-air museum with wooden cottages and farmsteads from the 1800s.
Festivals and Year-Round Attractions
Plan a June visit for Dny města, a festival with live bands, food stalls, and craft demonstrations in the square. In December, Vánoce ve Valmezu lights up the center with a Christmas market and illuminated decorations. The town amphitheater stages brass band performances by the Dechová hudba města Valašské Meziříčí ensemble. Kino Valmez screens recent Czech films alongside international releases. From May to September, families head to the outdoor pool complex with water slides, and in winter, temporary ice rinks open near the square.
