Žulová: History, Geology and Nature

When planning a stay in Žulová, you can choose how to balance local history, culture and destinations in the surrounding countryside. The town centre focuses on stone and architectural history; nearby, pilgrimage history, waterfalls and trails complete the picture of the region.

Culture and the Town’s Stone Heritage

The Kamenické muzeum Žulová, which is open seasonally, is located in the town centre, in Building No. 1 on Josefské náměstí, near St. Joseph’s Church. It displays various local types of granite and marble samples; the mineralogical section focuses on systematic mineralogy.

Hrad a kostel Žulová brings together the remains of a medieval castle and the nave of a church dating from the early 19th century. Frýdberk Castle was finally destroyed by Swedish soldiers in 1639. Its surviving keep became part of the new St. Joseph’s Church in the early 19th century. The Marian Column is also part of the town’s stoneworking history: it was made by the Žulová stonemasonry school.

Pilgrimage History and Waterfalls

Boží hora, near Žulová, was a pilgrimage site associated with the veneration of an image of Our Lady of Sorrows. The pilgrimage complex includes several neo-Gothic structures, including the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, which is reached by a Stations of the Cross trail. Boží hora offers views of the main ridge of the Rychlebské Mountains and the surrounding Rychleby countryside. This destination thus combines religious history and architecture with views of the landscape.

Nýznerovské vodopády, near Žulová, are located in the settlement of Nýznerov, in the valley of the Stříbrný potok. They were declared a natural monument in 1965. The upper section can be reached via a staircase. The easiest access is from Nýznerov, along a forest path that is accessible only on foot; trail conditions may vary. When planning your visit, take into account both the location in the valley and the walk to the waterfall.

Trails, Water and Getting There

The route to Ripperův kámen is moderately difficult and can be walked from either Lázně Jeseník or Žulová. This gives you two starting points to choose from. A basic circular route near Žulová is over 30 km long; you can shorten it by walking only part of the loop. Check current trail conditions in advance.

The Lom Ostrůvek (Transgranit) quarry is in Žulová, in the direction of Černá Voda. The access to the water slopes gently, and there is also a small grassy beach. This gives the quarry a different focus from the museum and historic buildings. Conditions by the water may vary.

Žulová can be reached by bus from Jeseník and Vidnava, and by a ČD train from Vidnava. If you are planning to travel by public transport, check the current timetable before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Velká Kraš, Bernartice U Javorníka, Vlčice, Ostružná, Bílá Voda U Javorníka, Kobylá Nad Vidnavkou, Mikulovice U Jeseníku, Česká Ves.

See the broader travel guide: Okres Jeseník.