Valašská Bystřice: Art, Portáš Graves and Views

Valašská Bystřice offers several distinct points of interest for a stay: art and everyday objects at the Marie Bognerová Memorial, the protected Portáš graves in the local cemetery, and views and paths in the mountainous surroundings. If you are looking for a hotel, you can base your choice on whether you want to focus mainly on art, the history of the monument, or an excursion involving a substantial climb. The attractions therefore range from a cultural stop in the center to destinations where the route needs to be taken into account when planning.

Art and Everyday History

The Marie Bognerová Memorial is located in the former school in the center of Valašská Bystřice. It displays the artist’s paintings, drawings and watercolors, as well as objects from her everyday life. The collection thus brings together different artistic techniques with a personal glimpse into her daily life. If you are interested in visual art, this is a specific cultural highlight; its location in the former school also places it in the center of the municipality.

The Portáš Graves and the Church

The Portáš graves are a state-protected cultural monument in the local cemetery, in front of the Baroque Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Two stone sarcophagi bear carved crosses and inscriptions. In front of them are sandstone slabs about 15 centimeters thick, decorated in the Baroque style with skull-and-crossbones motifs. The visible design and the memory of those buried there offer two distinct ways to engage with this monument.

The right-hand grave holds the reeve of Velká Bystřice and Portáš lieutenant (commander) Jiří Křenek, as well as his son Ondřej Křenek, a Portáš corporal and blacksmith. The site thus connects a specific historical memory with the distinctive sarcophagi and stone slabs. The church provides the spatial reference point for the graves; together, these details make this a clear cultural and historical highlight of your stay.

Views and Trails

A small wooden observation tower with scenic views stands on Búřov Mountain. Admission is free, and the tower is freely accessible to the public. The marked hiking trail to it follows a paved road that is suitable for strollers; at the same time, the route includes a steep climb into the mountains. The paved surface and suitability for strollers do not change the fact that the route also involves this climb. The municipal area of Valašská Bystřice is also rugged and mountainous. If you are heading to the observation tower, be sure to take the elevation profile into account when planning.

The 43 km Portášská Route starts in Valašská Bystřice and climbs steeply to Santov; alternatively, you can continue via Vsacký Cáb to Dušná. The two route descriptions have different planning considerations: the Portášská Route has a stated length and course, while the path to the observation tower is described as paved and steep.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Valašská Bystřice is accessible by car or bus. There is a parking lot in front of the information center; check locally before your arrival to confirm that it is available. If traveling by bus, it is advisable to check the timetable for your chosen day in advance. This lets you plan your journey to fit your stay while also taking the parking lot by the information center into account as a separate point of reference.

Small Structures in the Surrounding Area

The wooden Zvonička na Kyčerách was built in 1997. Its bell rings every day at noon; if you would like to hear it, check the schedule before your visit. The small Neo-Gothic chapel Pod Spinou is also located near Valašská Bystřice, at a crossroads of hiking trails leading from Valašská Bystřice to Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. If you plan to take these trails, check current trail conditions in advance. The chapel combines a small Neo-Gothic structure with a specific connection to the hiking trails in the area.

Discover more destinations: Vsetín, Lázy, Prostřední Bečva, Francova Lhota, Horní Lideč, Hošťálková, Karolinka, Rožnov pod Radhoštěm.

Return to the main travel overview: Vsetín District.