Šternberk Castle

Šternberk Castle can be found in a town of the same name in Moravia, north of Olomouc. The castle used to belong to the old Czech noble family, the Šternberks. Today, the castle belongs to the state and it is opened to the public during the summer tourist season. It had fallen into ruins but its owners decided to repair it during the romantic atmosphere of the 19th century, thanks to which we can still admire it today.

A Historical and Historicizing Castle

Šternberk Castle near Olomouc was founded in the mid-13^th century by an old Czech noble family, the Lords of Šternberk and you can find it at the foothills of Nízký Jeseník. The fortifications, the walls of the main palace and also the massive round tower have been preserved from the original construction. The rest of the castle is built in the spirit of historicizing romanticism from the 19^th century.

When you visit the castle, you can choose from several guided tours – the Liechtenstein Collections (you will see the movable chattels of the last private owners of the castle), How They Lived at a Noble Residence (the tour describes the life of nobility at the turn of the 19^th and 20^th centuries), and From the Kitchen to the Attic (where you can walk through the technical facilities of the castle so you can learn about the hot-air heating, bathrooms or the kitchen lift). You can ponder on your experience from the castle tour during a stroll through the castle park, established by Albert Esche, a Viennese architect, at the beginning of the 20^th century.

Where to Go Next?

The fun and exploring does not end by visiting a castle in this Moravian town! Not far from the castle, there is a former Augustinian monastery. It is open to the public but they are still looking for a way to use it better. Don’t come here to look for a religious life. However, they will be happy to show you around and let you explore their expositions. There is also a beautiful baroque church on the premises of the monastery. And when in Šternberk, you should also visit the modern-concept museum entitled Time Exposition where you can learn about clocks, time measurement, various calendars and the topic of time in all possible contexts in an attractive way.