The Castle Hradec nad Moravici complex is one of the most popular attractions in the region. It is also famous for the national musical performance competition known as Beethoven's Hradec.
The Hradec promontory was settled around 2000 B.C. Building development in the area began in the 9
th century with a Slavic fortification and continued in the second half of the 13
th century with the construction of a noble Gothic fortress. In the 14
th century Hradec was chosen as the administrative centre of the Opava principality. From the beginning of the 16
th century it was in the possesion of rulers who pawned the castle's effects and property. Kaspar Pruskovsky of Pruskov was the last ruler.
He inherited it in 1585 as a principality and began the reconstruction of the old castle area into a comfortable Renaissance chateau with a woodland park and garden.
The Prussian royal family of Lichnovsky of Vostice took possession of the Hradec dominion in 1778. After the fire in 1796 they renovated the chateau in a contemporary Empire style. In the second half of the 19
th century they continued the development with the additional building of the Neo-Gothic so-called
Red Castle with stables, coach rooms and fortress wall. The surrounding area of the chateau was changed as well. The Gothic fortification system was removed and a landscaped park inspired by English parks was established. The so-called White Tower was erected as the last building in the chateau area.
During the 19
th century many famous people visited the Hradec Chateau.
Ludwig van Beethoven visited the chateau in 1806 and 1811 the Lichnovsky nobility who supported his work and he devoted a few compositions to them. Among other F. Liszt, N. Paganini, C. Wagner, H. von Hoffmannstahl, K. Kraus, G. Hauptman etc. were among the visitors.
In May 1945 the Lichnovsky property was confiscated and the chateau complex was immediately opened to the public. After the extensive general reconstruction some representative rooms and the guest apartments were opened to the public in 1997. The new gallery exhibits the jewels of the original chateau picture-gallery and other elements of the chateau's history.
Opening hours:
| | April & October | May & September | June - August |
| Monday | close | close | close |
| Tuesday | close | 09.00 - 17.00 | 09.00 - 17.30 |
| Wednesday | close | 09.00 - 17.00 | 09.00 - 17.30 |
| Thursday | close | 09.00 - 17.00 | 09.00 - 17.30 |
| Friday | close | 09.00 - 17.00 | 09.00 - 17.30 |
| Saturday | 09.00 - 16.00 | 09.00 - 17.00 | 09.00 - 17.30 |
| Sunday | 09.00 - 16.00 | 09.00 - 17.00 | 09.00 - 17.30 |
Guide 
