Fulnek

It is a town of industrial-agricultural character and it became natural economic as well as cultural centre of the area. Owing to its picturesque position, wealthy history, many monuments and attractive nature environment, the town is a target of many visitors.

Most interesting historical reference of this town, with its unimitable atmosphere, is, no doubt, a castle in Renaissance style. On opposite slope, there is to be found newly reconstructed St.Joseph Church, neighbouring with arranged area of medioeval cemetery with St.Roch chapel of 1632, and Loreto villa. Further, Monument of J.A.Komensky belongs to treasuries of world education, including preserved Synod building. Here, Komensky lived and worked. Near park can be proud of statue of Nations´ Teacher, made by sculptor Jan Štursa. Over square, there is situated Augustinian monastery and Baroque Church of Holy Trinity with its most beautiful interior in Moravia. To further culture sightseeings, we find in city centre, it belongs statue decoration of a square, including unique Baroque staircase towards a church, Town Hall of 1610, and town bell-tower with rests of town´s walls.

Owing to its position, in headland of Low Jeseník Mountains, and at slope of Oder Hills, Fulnek offers many possibilities for relax and rest, especially from tourist point of view. The town is a crossroad of namy marked tourist trails. We can make excursions along cycloroutes in surrounding forests or visit Oder Hills. One marked route presents pleasant walking circuit  in Stříbrný kopec (Silver Hill). For other way of relax, we can use nature swimming pool with camping place, placed along Husí potok (Geese Brook), in west direction of the town. In south direction, you find small dam Kletná, with arranged brach and bathing place. Further, you can rent tennis courts, bowling or boby-routes in a community of Šošovice. As to culture events: this is offered by new reconstructed Town´s Cultural Centre with cinema-caffee and restaurant.

The town of Fulnek is placed in an area of one branch of so called Amber Path, connecting Mediterraneum with Baltic countries. First written notice comes of 1293. At that time period, the Lichtenburg Parentage became founders of town, situated on edge of Moravia and Silesia. On break of 13th and 14th centuries, the town was fully organised and influenced the economic life in surrounding communities. The town developed later under rule of Kravaře and Žerotín Parentages, in spite of the fact that it was met with many natural disasters, even by earthquake. Nevertheless, few towns preserved so many documents of its material and spirit development, up to now, as it is in case of Fulnek. Since 1481, Fulnek became an important centre of Unity of Moravian Brethren, and belonged to Moravia. In this connection, we cannot miss to mention  the greatest writer of White Hill emigration wave, last Bishop of Unity of Moravian Brethren, Jan Amos Komensky. He stayed in Fulnek within 1618-1621. However, 30-years war let in town´s as well as dominion´s life many negative traces. Break of 18th and 19th centuries meant for Fulnek enormous development, as far as weaver and drapery industries are concerned. At the beginning of so called First Republic, the situation of Czech minority in Fulnek was quite complicated. Before 1st World War, Fulnek became an important base of radically orientated German national working party. After foundation of Czechoslovakia, the town representatives joined into German National Movement, which required separation of our border regions. Later, Fulnek became main leading centre of German moving actions in all border areas, occupied by Germans. At the end of 2nd World War, in May 1945, during liberation fights, the historical nucleus was hardly damaged by destructing fire. It is true that town´s dominantes were not directly struck, however, all houses on the square and most houses in closed streets disappeared. Only town hall tower, and some walls of houses remained. Anyway, the city centre was renewed in 1948, according to plans of architect Z.Sedláček. In 1992, the historical nucleus of Fulnek was declared as town´s preserved monument zone. So, this picturesque Baroque town will be preserved against similar negative interferences in the future.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Tedmek, č.2, Jan Vančura, č.2, Radim SCHOLASTER, Pawel Grzywocz, Petr Adam Dohnálek