Industrial Spaces and More on the Moravian-Silesian Region Location Tour

Working with the Moravian-Silesian Film Office, we organized a Location Tour on September 16 and 17, 2025, taking participants through the area’s lesser-known corners. We explored the newly reconstructed Grossmann Villa from the 1920s, a wooden church in Sedliště, a textile factory and chateau in Frýdek-Místek, and the industrial landmarks in Vítkovice. 

The tour brought together a diverse group, from production managers to photographers. For some, the new locations were eye-opening, as was learning about the function of film offices. “For me personally, getting an overview of how film offices work here in the Czech Republic was a huge benefit,” says production manager Kateřina Byrtusová. “Even though I studied film and constantly work on sets, I only just realized this now.” Of all the spots, the Grossmann Villa impressed her the most: “The guide knew exactly why we were there—to look at suitable filming locations. We often search for diverse settings, even a basement or an attic, so a large attic like that can be useful. The whole villa is like a paradise for filmmakers,” Byrtusová adds.

Ostrava-Svimov Railway Station

One Our first stop, even before the villa, was the Ostrava-Svinov railway station, where we arrived by train from Prague. A registered cultural monument, the station is dominated by its Neo-Baroque terminal building from 1845. After a somewhat insensitive renovation in the 1970s and 80s, a highly successful reconstruction took place between 2001 and 2006. During this period, architect Václav Filandr designed a modern, glass-clad extension to the check-in hall, elegantly complementing the historic structure. The restoration involved not only returning the building to its original architectural look but also constructing new platforms and underpasses. This reconstruction went on to win several architectural awards. 

All Saints’ Church in Sedliště

Following our visit to the station, we had the chance to see the All Saints’ Church in Sedliště, a beautiful wooden log-cabin church. Built in 1638 on the site of an even older structure, it stands as one of the Czech Republic’s most valuable wooden sacred monuments. It retains its original form, including the famous portico known as the “sobota” (Saturday), though the tower was reconstructed in the 19th century. Iron crosses from the old cemetery surround the church. Visitors were especially captivated by the richly decorated interior and the original 17th-century wall paintings that remained hidden until their discovery in 1984.

Freedom Square (Náměstí Svobody) Místek

After the church, we traveled to Frýdek-Místek, starting with a tour of Freedom Square in Místek.  Frýdek and Místek were historically two separate, rival towns founded in the 14th and 13th centuries, respectively, and only merged into one by the Nazis in 1943.   Two-story burgher houses featuring charming arcades line the four sides of Freedom Square. A notable Marian column with a statue of the Virgin Mary stands in one corner of the square, balanced by a fountain in the opposite corner.

Frýdek-Místek Railway Station 

Our tour of Místek continued with the brick railway station building, which dates back to 1871. The station was constructed using a standardized design as part of the Imperial Royal Privileged Ostrava-Frýdlant Railway Company line. It was successfully reconstructed in 2018.

Frýdek-Místek Chateau    

Our next major stop on the Location Tour was the chateau in Frýdek.  Originally a Gothic castle from 1327, it was later transformed into a Renaissance chateau, with a dedicated park added in the 17th century.   The entire complex had to be rebuilt after a fire swept through the town in 1688.   From the 18th century onward, Frýdek and its chateau became one of the most famous Marian pilgrimage sites in Silesia. In the 1960s, a museum (now the Museum of the Beskids) was established within the chateau, offering several fascinating tour routes. We found the Chapel of St. Barbara particularly interesting, as were the period rooms, meticulously equipped down to the last detail with authentic furnishings. 

Tower of St. John the Baptist

A standout moment was the climb up the 72-meter-high tower of St. John the Baptist Church, which required ascending 211 steps. The stunning panoramic view from the summit was a treat for those who don’t suffer from vertigo. The structure was originally wooden but was replaced with the current stone tower during the 17th century.  

Slezan Textile Factory  

In the 19th century, Frýdek and Místek became industrial hubs for the entire region, driven primarily by textile manufacturing and ironworking. Our Location Tour included several former industrial sites, the first being the vast premises of the former Slezan textile factory. This immense brick structure possesses significant industrial charm and offers tremendous potential for various production types.

Hliník Brickyard   

We also visited the Baška Brickyard (known locally as Hliník), another remarkable industrial area, though several parts are in disrepair. Operations began here in 1923. Like most brickworks of the era, it utilized a narrow-gauge railway (600 mm track width) to transport clay, which remained operational until 1995. The brickyard stands as a powerful, tangible reminder of Frýdek-Místek’s heavy industrial past.

City Campus Ostrava

Towards the end of day one, we returned to Ostrava to tour the University of Ostrava’s modern, multifunctional campus. Completed in 2023, this state-of-the-art building is located right in the city center. It contains cutting-edge digital graphics studios, music production rooms, and modern sports facilities. A unique feature is the running track on and around the roof, which offers excellent views across the city and the surrounding landscape, and even of Ostrava’s iconic slag heaps.

Landek Park  

Day two opened with the spectacular Landek Park, a vast recreational and entertainment area built atop Ostrava’s oldest mine, the Anselm pit. Now home to the largest mining museum in the Czech Republic (operating for 25 years), the park connects the museum with Landek Hill, a National Nature Monument rich in vegetation.   Beyond the main museum exhibits, we gained exclusive access to the rarely seen former offices, where time has literally stopped, offering an authentic, evocative glimpse into the communist era. 

Lower Vítkovice Area Exteriors (Gong, Blast Furnaces, Bolt Tower)  

Our visit to Dolní Vítkovice (Lower Vítkovice) was an unparalleled experience. This industrial complex, where coal was mined and iron was forged from 1828 until 1998, was unique in Europe for handling every step of the process—from mining to pig iron production—all in one location. Today, this former industrial giant has been transformed into a dynamic center for culture, education, and events, attracting international attention. The site is proudly inscribed on the European Cultural Heritage list.

Hall 520      

Our final Vítkovice stop was Hall 520—the enormous building of the former Vítkovice machinery plant. The hall is situated in the active part of Lower Vítkovice, meaning it’s typically inaccessible to the public. However, a section of the hall and its courtyard, boasting a massive usable area of 24,062 m2, is available to filmmakers. The nearby Aréna and Divadlo Mír (Peace Theatre) further enhance the area’s location versatility. 

Old Directorate and Offices on Ruská Street      

The historicist building of the former Directorate of the Vítkovice Hard Coal Mines now stands like a “ghost house.” This significant industrial monument, designed by architect Felix Neumann and built from striking face brick in 1896, was the largest administrative structure in Moravian Ostrava at the time. It is a key piece of the city’s industrial heritage.   Similarly atmospheric are the vacant office buildings at Ruská Street 58 and 60, which historically provided administrative support.  

Lipový Dvůr (Linden Court)

The Lipový Dvůr housing estate originated as a residential colony for Vítkovice engineers and technicians, constructed between 1910 and 1921. It offered premium housing distinguished by decorative facades and comfortable amenities. While the complex served the Vítkovice Ironworks administration after 1945 and suffered a disruptive modernization in the 1970s, it has entered a new phase. Management decided in the new millennium to revitalize the site and return it to its original residential purpose. The ongoing reconstruction of seven houses, combined with new construction, will feature apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units.

Contact for filming in the Moravian-Silesian region:

Moravian-Silesian Film Office, Jana Surovcová Staňková (jana.surovcova@mstourism.cz, +420 724 155 131)