Location Tour in the Olomouc Region: Chateaus, Timbered Cottages, and a Church

The final location tour of the year took place on October 13th and 14th, 2026, when representatives from film productions and crews across disciplines (executive producer, location manager, line producer, producer, screenwriter, director, etc.) traveled to the Olomouc Region to explore potential film locations for future projects. We organised this regular event for film industry professionals in cooperation with the Olomouc Region Film Office.

The itinerary offered a diverse showcase of historic chateaus, traditional folk architecture, and sacred structures across the Jeseníky area. Participants particularly praised the chateaus in Ruda nad Moravou, Bludov, and Třemešek, as well as the wooden church in Maršíkov.

"I wanted to showcase the diversity of the Jeseníky foothills - stretching from Zábřeh through Šumperk to Jeseník. Distinctive folk architecture tied the entire tour together, visible in villages like Dlouhomilov, Postřelmov, and Hartíkov. I am thrilled by the strong interest in the event, and I’d like to thank everyone involved in its preparation, especially the property owners who are open to collaborating with film productions," says Michael Žáček of the Olomouc Region Film Office, which co-organised the tour.

"The film locations were extremely interesting and varied," says director Martin Fiřt. "I was particularly intrigued by Hartíkov and Maršíkov - I can easily picture these locations being used for a feature film or TV series. That said, the woodland film locations and chateau spaces were also very interesting, as was Bludov Church," he adds. "The location tour was very engaging, and the insights gained offer great inspiration for upcoming projects. If the region aligns closely with the creators' artistic vision - which I can neither confirm nor deny at this stage - I could certainly picture myself filming in the region," Fiřt concludes.

"The chateau film location in Ruda nad Moravou inspired a story concept for me," reveals director and producer Vladimír Škultéty, adding, "I think we were all extremely impressed by the experience of St. Michael's Church."

"Personally, I really enjoyed seeing the folk architecture sites and the chateaus in Bludov, Třemešek, and Ruda nad Moravou," says executive producer Jarmila Hoznauerová from Czech Television – Ostrava Television Studio. "I wasn't looking for a location for a specific shoot, but I certainly can't rule out using one of these properties in the future. In any case, it was very worthwhile," Jarmila adds. Other participants agreed that such visits aren't solely for location scouting for an immediate project.

Such positive feedback confirms that location tours help raise awareness of regional filming possibilities and forge connections between local property managers and film professionals. As Jarmila Hoznauerová sums up: "I would recommend the Location Tour without hesitation - it’s an excellent opportunity."

Nemile Stronghold near Zábřeh

The Location Tour began at the Nemile Stronghold near Zábřeh. Originally a medieval fortress, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style in 1620. Once used for agriculture, a civic association now operates half the building, while the other half is a private residence.

Postřelmov – Jursa Farmstead

Postřelmov has preserved several historic farmsteads recalling the village’s past grandeur, characterised by arcaded porches, ornate portals, and decorative façades. Among them is the heritage-protected Jursa Farmstead dating from 1837, a valuable example of traditional rural architecture.

Bludov

In Bludov, we visited the chateau, the church with the Zierotin (Žerotín) family tomb, and explored examples of local folk architecture. Bludov Chateau is originally a late-Renaissance three-wing building that underwent Baroque modifications in the 18th century and later gained Neo-Gothic features. Today, it serves as a family residence and cultural venue, featuring an adjoining English park with rare trees. Descendants of the original Zierotin owners inhabit the chateau. We met with the owner, who was exceptionally welcoming; her strong relationship with the local community would certainly facilitate future shooting days.

We also visited the Church of St. George, built on the site of an earlier medieval church, with its current appearance resulting from several historic rebuilds. Adjoining the church is the Zierotin family vault, built between 1837 and 1838, a simple structure with four arched windows with iron grilles and a modest Empire-style entrance.

Additionally, we visited a countryside house showcasing traditional folk architecture. Historical homesteads in this area frequently combine timber framing and masonry, representing a transitional style between the fertile Horní Haná region and the mountainous Jeseníky environment.

Hartíkov – Timbered Architecture

Next, we visited Hartíkov, a historic mountain settlement first documented in 1397, which has retained its traditional rural character to this day. It features several well-maintained timbered cottages and folk structures, many now used as holiday homes.

Ruda nad Moravou Chateau

Ruda nad Moravou Chateau is a four-wing Renaissance building surrounding an inner courtyard, commissioned in the early 17th century by Bernard of Zierotin. Notable features include open arcades surrounding the courtyard, an oriel window, and sgraffito decoration on the façade. It is currently privately owned.

Infantry Blockhouse StM-S 50 "U Trati"

Participants also explored an infantry blockhouse, an unfinished 1938 Czechoslovak border bunker designed for frontal fire and intended to accommodate fifteen soldiers. During the German occupation, they tore out the embrasure for its main weaponry.

Kavárna Kolonáda (Colonnade Café)

We then moved on to Dolní Lipové to visit the modern Kavárna Kolonáda at the Schroth Spa, which officially opened in April 2026. Its contemporary glass extension complements the historic spa building and offers an airy interior with views of the surrounding countryside.

Jeseník – Hotel Slovan

The final stop on the first day was Hotel Slovan, where the group stayed overnight. Located in the heart of the Jeseníky region, the hotel builds on the legacy of the former Hotel Kretschmär, dating back to 1868. Its interiors blend preserved historical character with modern comfort, offering elegant facilities suitable for both accommodation and corporate or social events. The guest rooms and restaurant were fully renovated last year.

Červenohorské Sedlo Resort

Day two of the Location Tour started in nature. We travelled up to Červenohorské sedlo, a mountain pass in the Hrubý Jeseník range at an altitude of approximately 1,000 metres, offering striking views of the surrounding ridges. Home to a ski resort of the same name with extensive slopes, ski lifts, and alpine facilities, it's an attractive film location for winter and summer mountain shoots.

Wooden Church of St. Michael the Archangel, Maršíkov 

Next, we visited the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. This timber-built, late-Gothic structure dates to 1609 and was commissioned by Přemyslav II of Zierotin. Local long-time resident Mr. Moravec guided us and shared fascinating historical anecdotes. The church has retained almost all its original features, including a coffered ceiling, decorated walls, and a Renaissance chancel, making it one of the most valuable monuments of rural sacred architecture.

Švagrov Environmental Education Centre

A different experience awaited at the Švagrov Environmental Education Centre. Participants were enchanted by the tranquil surroundings of deep forests. We also appreciated the centre's core concept of teaching children to connect with, explore, and protect nature. The facility features outdoor learning installations, an educational pond, a mountain stream, and a 4.5 km nature trail. The main building includes a traditional crafts workshop, an event hall for cultural and educational activities, and cabin accommodation.

Šumperk

Theatre

We visited several locations in Šumperk, starting with the theatre, which occupies a historic Neo-Renaissance building erected between 1901 and 1902 to a design by Viennese architect Georg Berger. Originally built as a German community centre (Deutsches Haus), it underwent extensive restoration following a devastating fire in 1994 and reopened in October 2000.

Carl Strobach Villa

This grand Neo-Baroque villa was commissioned between 1920 and 1923 by Carl Strobach Jr., Managing Director of Olšanské papírny (Olšany Paper Mills), and designed by architect Georg Berger. Serving as both a family residence and executive headquarters, the villa features a mansard roof, terraces, ornate details, and extensive gardens. The interior retains its original hall, wooden staircase, and decorative stucco work.

Šumperk Library

The T. G. Masaryk Municipal Library in Šumperk is located in a historic three-storey building from the 1930s. Originally a school, it was converted into a modern library and community hub. In addition to reading rooms, it features community spaces, a literary café, and university facilities.

Šumperk Town Hall

Šumperk Town Hall is a prominent landmark of the historic town centre. First recorded in 1475, the original Gothic building burned down in 1513. The current building was constructed between 1909 and 1911 in Saxon Neo-Renaissance style with Art Nouveau accents. Featuring a monumental tower and an ornate façade, it offers panoramic views over the Jeseníky foothills.

Třemešek Chateau

Třemešek Chateau in Králec (near Dolní Studénky) was established in the late 16th century as a Renaissance seat for the Bukůvka of Bukůvka family. Its most valuable feature is an ornately carved portal from 1587 featuring reliefs of its founders. The château assumed its current appearance during 19th-century renovations and, following extensive restoration between 2018 and 2020, now serves non-profit organisations. It houses the Pomněnka Social Service Centre, while the social enterprise Dobroty z Venkova operates an on-site café.

Dlouhomilov – Folk Architecture and Kolšov Magistrate’s House (Rychta)

Dlouhomilov in the Šumperk area appeals to more than folk architecture enthusiasts, standing as one of the Czech Republic's premier sites for Upper Haná-style architecture. Since 1995, the upper part of the village has been designated a rural monument zone, boasting an exceptionally preserved ensemble of 19th-century masonry homesteads. Notable features include monumental gables and elaborate stucco decorations with floral and geometric motifs. The tour visited a homestead whose owner also owns vast acreage behind the house, featuring panoramic views and a long driveway ideal for period conveyances - such as a horse-drawn carriage in a period film.

Homestead No. 2 in Kolšov, formerly a village magistrate's house (rychta) and tavern, is a fine example of Empire-style folk architecture from the first half of the 19th century. Built in 1845 by master mason Isidor Korger, the building features distinctive Empire ornamentation and is currently undergoing sensitive restoration by its new owners following years of neglect.

Conslusion

The Location Tour once again demonstrated the diverse range of film locations offered by the Olomouc Region, spanning historic châteaux, urban interiors, timbered cottages, ornate farmsteads, and the mountain vistas of Jeseníky. Even if participants aren't matching specific sites to an immediate project, these visits can inspire future productions. Inspecting locations in person and connecting with site managers adds real value and opens the region to further audiovisual projects.

Contact for filming in the Olomouc Region:

Olomouc Region Film Office
Michael Žáček: michael.zacek@centralaok.cz, +420 775 863 537

The mission of regional film offices is to attract audiovisual projects to their regions and to be a reliable source of information for Czech producers. 

One of the main tools to draw filmmakers’ attention to the region’s film-friendly locations is the location tour, which is organized for Czech film professionals, from producers and location managers to directors, writers, cinematographers, and film architects, by the regional film office in cooperation with the Czech Film Commission. 

A representative of the regional film office connects filmmakers with property managers and owners. A location tour is often the first step towards further inspections for a specific audiovisual work in pre-production.

A photographer specializing in architecture, landscape, and location photography is present on the location tour. The resulting photographs are then used to promote the film-friendly locations by the regional film office and the Czech Film Commission for promotional activities aimed at foreign filmmakers and are actively offered when specific requests from abroad are received.