Velké Losiny (zámek)

Velké Losiny Chateau is located in the village of Velké Losiny in the Šumperk district, within the Hanušovická vrchovina highlands. The Renaissance chateau here stands on the site of a former medieval fortified manor, so its history reaches back even further than its present appearance suggests.

The place gained notoriety for the witch trials held here between 1678 and 1696, which claimed 56 victims, including the Catholic priest Kryštof Lautner. These grim events inspired the novel Witch Hammer by writer Václav Kaplický, which director Otakar Vávra adapted into a film of the same name in 1969. This dark story lends a visit to the chateau a distinctive, dramatic dimension.

The chateau grounds are a protected heritage site and were declared a national cultural monument in 1995. Owned by the state and managed by the National Heritage Institute, it is open to the public. A tour combines the experience of Renaissance architecture with a reminder of one of the darkest chapters in local history — a combination that draws both history lovers and those fascinated by powerful stories from the past.

Velké Losiny lies in the foothill region of the Jeseníky mountains, prized for its tranquillity and nature. If you choose accommodation nearby, a visit to the chateau can be combined with walks through the surrounding highlands and exploring other regional highlights. A multi-day stay lets you enjoy not just the tour itself but also the relaxing atmosphere of this part of northern Moravia, worth visiting for both its history and the quiet of its foothills.