In the Footsteps of Morzin and Vivaldi
Vrchlabi is the cultural centre of the Krkonose. For this, it also owes a lot to Count Vaclav Morzin, a great art patron. His greatest support went to composer Antonio Vivaldi. It was to Morzin that Vivaldi dedicated his collection of music in 1725, which also includes the violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. Let’s take a short walk in the footsteps of these important historical personalities.
T.G. Masaryk Square and the Baroque townhall
Dating back to 1737, the building is now used by the town council and the information centre.
Four historical houses
This complex of three gabled houses features some of the oldest folk buildings in the Krkonose region and is a rare example of original town buildings.
Church of St. Lawrence
Built in 1889 in the Neo-Gothic style on the site of an original 14th century church, it is designed as a three-nave hall with an adjacent 60 m tall spire with bells. Perhaps the most valuable work in the church is a copper baptismal font bearing the year 1566.
Augustinian monastery
The Augustinian monastery in Vrchlabi was established in 1705 following an initiative by the House of Morzin. The Augustinian Monastery has served visitors for many years to help them learn about the beauty and richness of the Krkonose Mts. as the seat of the Krkonose Museum as well as the Visitor Centre of the Krkonossky National Park.
The Palace and palace park
Built in 1546 as a Renaissance palace by Krystof Gendorfer of Gendorf, it is now used by the municipal council. Today, visitors can freely enter only the entrance hall. The palace park, established at the time the palace was built, was redesigned as a Romantic style garden in the 2nd half of the 19th century.
Czernin-Morzin Palace Chapel
The palace chapel, situated at the edge of the palace park and accessible originally via a wooden suspension bridge and today from Dobrovskeho St., was built by Countess Aloysia Czernin-Morzin, the daughter of Rudolf Morzin.
Karel Halir Primary Art School
It provides the basics of artistic education for children and adults. In the music field, pupils devote themselves to classical, popular, swing and jazz music.
Zamecek House – the Morzin Gallery
This gallery is situated in a building called Zamecek (The Chateau), originally the first paper mill in Vrchlabi. It offers a modern presentation of creative arts in an unusual setting and form.
House with Seven Gables
One of Vrchlabi’s oldest houses, whose unique appearance results from an attempt to best utilise all the rooms. You can see its rooms and visit the local cafe.
