Brownfield, Chateau, and Art Nouveau Villas: June Location Tour revealed the lesser-known Olomouc region

Another this year's Location Tour for film professionals took place on June 10th and 11th. We teamed up with the Olomouc Region Film Office to explore some of the area's hidden gems. We ventured into some truly unique spots, like a brownfield site in Litovel, a villa and a power plant in Háj, the serene Bělecký Mlýn Game Park, the Kovářík brothers' villa in Prostějov, a fantastic example of Czech modern architecture, and more.  

"The Plumlov Hotel and Bělecký Mlýn really captivated me," says Štěpán Šikl from the location agency NW Location.  "The hotel is a beautiful place with true genius loci; I can easily see using it for commercials, photoshoots, or even as a stunning film set. And Bělecký Mlýn offers a vast variety of different locations, all owned by a single person. If any of our future projects end up filming in this area, I definitely have a lot of inspiration."  

"I picked the locations very carefully," explains Michael Žáček from the Olomouc Region Film Office. "My primary goal was to ensure diversity, originality, and uniqueness. Most of the chosen spots were privately owned, and it really paid off—the owners were extremely welcoming during our visits and even actively participated. The very next day, we started getting inquiries from the tour participants asking for direct contacts to the places we saw.  So, I definitely think the event was a big success!" concludes Žáček. 

Litovel Brownfield 

It is a former military facility with an areax spanning 1500 m². Among its features, you'll find an interesting hall with a staircase, empty spaces that were once offices, and a hall with a control room featuring a communication console, which you can see in the photos. 

Litovel Brewery   

Dating all the way back to 1291, this historic brewery is now opening its doors to filmmakers. You'll find beautifully cleared spaces here, each with a truly unique atmosphere. The brass brewing kettles and wooden staircases are particularly striking. On our visit, we even got a peek into areas usually off-limits to the public, like the storage facilities. We even saw the working desk from the first half of the 20th century that belonged to the brewery's procurator.

Háj Třeština Hydroelectric Power Plant 

This impressive hydroelectric power plant, featuring a millrace and two Francis turbines, is situated above an artificial water canal on the left bank of the Morava River. The beautiful and imposing building dates back to the 1920s. It was commissioned by Ellena and Karel Plhák, based on the designs of the renowned Czech architect Bohuslav Fuchs and his colleague Josef Štěpánek. Interestingly, Fuchs is also the creative mind behind the New Stage of the National Theatre in Prague. Large industrial windows flood the power plant's spacious hall with natural light. The power plant has a functional turbine from ČKD. Nearby, there's a caravan that often serves refreshments for kayakers, who can also camp in the adjacent meadow.

Háj Villa 

The Right next door to the power plant, you'll find Háj Villa, another masterpiece commissioned by the Plháks and designed by the acclaimed architect Bohuslav Fuchs. Today, the ground floor is home to a beautiful gallery, while the second floor offers comfortable accommodation.  When the current owners renovated the villa, they put a huge emphasis on preserving its original charm. They even searched the entire Czech Republic for the perfect period lighting, designing some fixtures themselves and having them custom-made.  

Jeskyňka Cottage 

Imagine a romantic yet spacious cabin tucked away in a protected forest, right near the Javoříčko Cave, where its original entrance once was. Perched at 470 meters above sea level, this cabin offers breathtaking views of the surrounding forests, incredible karst caves, and unique rock formations. This secluded spot would be absolutely perfect as a location for, say, a thrilling crime drama. And don't worry about access—there's a conveniently located parking lot nearby that can easily accommodate vehicles. 

Hotel Plumlov

Built in 1906, this stylish hotel enjoys a prime location right on the banks of the Plumlov Dam. It's actually older than the dam itself, which began construction a few years later! The hotel features 13 comfortable rooms, a fantastic large terrace offering beautiful views of the dam, a restaurant, and a conference room. 

Josef Kovářík Villa   

In Prostějov, we visited the villa of Josef Kovářík, who was one of the city's most prominent early 20th-century entrepreneurs. He had the villa built in the style of Czech modernism and geometric Art Nouveau between 1910 and 1912, based on the design by architect Emil Králík. This family home, set in a garden, is particularly remarkable for its interior, which features a large hall and an atrium. The villa has been a protected cultural monument since 1973 and is currently undergoing reconstruction.  

Church of St. John of Nepomuk  

This church, founded in 1751, is now deconsecrated. It's a beautiful, single-nave, late Baroque structure that's connected to the western part of the nearby monastery. The interior is richly decorated, offering a stunning example of the transition between High and late Baroque styles. One particularly interesting detail is the unusual placement of its two church towers, which is quite rare in Moravian Baroque architecture! 

Monastery of the Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of Saint John of God  

Built in the first half of the 18th century, this monastery complex has a rich history, even serving as a retirement home in more recent times. Its extensive grounds offer a wealth of filming locations, including long, atmospheric corridors and striking staircases. You'll also discover a small, peaceful garden with a charming statue at the heart of the complex. Interestingly, a single-story hospital pavilion was added to the original garden between 1895 and 1898. And don't miss the beautiful statue of St. John of God depicted helping a sick person, located right above the monastery's entrance. 

Air Raid Shelter in Prostějov   

In Prostějov, you can find air-raid shelters of an indeterminate age, with entrance shapes reminiscent of the German "egg-shaped shelters" from the occupation period. Interesting features include the metal covers above the entrance and the handrails. The entrance to the shelter is from a grassy square. 

Prostějov Main Train Station   

The monumental Prostějov train station building, the largest post-war structure in the city, also offers an air-raid shelter. This impressive building was constructed between 1947 and 1952, replacing the original 19th-century structure that was destroyed during World War II. A spacious shelter is located directly beneath the building, complete with its own corridors and equipment. 

Prostějov Train Station    

Prostějov’s second train station once served as the central station for the Moravian Western Railway. It has a very picturesque and film-friendly feel, both the platform and the adjacent restaurant. This complex of buildings had various purposes over the years, including a post office, warehouses, residential homes for employees, a roundhouse, and a waterworks. Roundhouses were typically part of larger railway stations and housed steam locomotives.  

Chmelař Apartment 

This newly renovated apartment, once home to a prominent citizen of Prostějov, will soon become a heligonka (Czechoslovak button accordion) museum. So, if you're interested in filming here, you'd need to act fast! The apartment is on the first floor, and the building also features a visually interesting staircase. 

Bělecký Mlýn Game Park

This game park spans an impressive 102 hectares and is home to both Dybowski's deer and fallow deer. At the heart of the park is an estate surrounded by an equestrian center, which could serve as a fantastic and unique base for filming. The park is accessible to pedestrians, and there's a road that vehicles can use by prior arrangement. You'll also find lovely scenic views of the landscape from the hunting stands. We also explored Bělecký Mlýn itself. The grounds feature a newly established, extensive orchard, with a large adjacent building that serves as a popular venue for weddings. There's also a covered terrace, a restaurant with a fireplace, a courtyard for potential parking, and a building offering accommodation. 
The great news is that all these spaces and facilities belong to a single owner, making it incredibly easy to arrange any potential filming!