We begin our journey with Castle Cieszyn, a historical gem located on Castle Hill, offering a picturesque view of the city and the Olza River valley. This medieval fortress, which dates back to the 13th century, witnessed the turbulent history of the region, where Polish, Czech and Austrian influences clashed.

The Romanesque rotunda of St. Nicholas and St. Wenceslas, Cieszyn's most valuable monument, dating back to the 11th century, has been preserved to our days. This small building is one of the oldest sacred monuments in Poland and is a symbol of the city. It is worth noting its characteristic body and architectural details that have stood the test of time. Next to the rotunda rises the mighty 29-meter-high Gothic Piast Tower, which offers a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings.

Castle Cieszyn is not only a monument, but also a living cultural center. The Castle Cieszyn - a center for design and entrepreneurship that organizes exhibitions, workshops and cultural events - operates on the grounds of the former castle. As a result, the historic walls are teeming with life, connecting the past with the present.

The castle is connected with a fascinating legend about three brothers - Leszek, Czech and Rus, who, after a long wander, met at a spring and decided to found a city. According to the legend, this took place in 810. Although historians approach this tale with detachment, it is an important part of local identity and is readily told to tourists.

It is worth knowing that Castle Cieszyn was once the seat of the Piasts of Cieszyn, who ruled the principality for more than 500 years. In the 14th century, during the reign of Przemyslaw I Noszak, Cieszyn experienced a period of prosperity, and the prince himself was an important diplomat at the court of Emperor Charles IV. It was then that the castle gained importance as a political and cultural center.

For families with children, Castle Cieszyn offers special tours and educational workshops where the youngest can learn about the region's history in an accessible way. Children especially enjoy climbing the Piast Tower, from where they can admire the panorama of the city and look out for landmarks.

Price-wise, visiting Castle Cieszyn falls into the category of low-cost attractions, making it accessible to every tourist. Compared to other castles in the region, this is a place where you can immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the borderland for a small fee.

Just a few hours' drive from the Polish border, in a picturesque valley surrounded by sandstone cliffs, rises the mysterious Kokořín Castle. This Gothic fortress, hidden among dense forests, is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Czech Republic and is a real gem for history and nature lovers.

Kokořín Castle was built in the first half of the 14th century by nobleman Hynek Berek of Dubé as a watchtower to protect the trade route. Its turbulent history is full of dramatic events - it was repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and changed owners. After the Hussite wars it fell into disrepair and remained abandoned for centuries, which contributed to numerous legends about ghosts and treasures hidden within its walls.

Interestingly, the castle was only rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century by Czech entrepreneur Václav Špaček, who restored it to its former glory, following a romantic vision of a medieval fortress. As a result, today we can admire the castle's imposing exterior with a distinctive cylindrical tower that towers over the surrounding area.

The interiors of Kokořín Castle impress with authentic details and a rich collection of furniture, weapons and everyday objects from different eras. Of particular interest is the castle chapel with Gothic vaulted ceilings and the knight's chamber with a collection of armor. The youngest tourists will find the castle's dungeons and the narrow, winding staircase leading to the top of the tower fascinating, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

Kokořín Castle is surrounded by the charming landscape of the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Area, full of sandstone rock formations, caves and gorges. The surrounding forests hide numerous hiking trails and nature paths, ideal for family excursions. One of the region's biggest attractions are the so-called 'skalní byty' - dwellings carved into sandstone rocks that have served local people for centuries.

Associated with the castle is the legend of the White Lady - the ghost of a girl who fell in love with a knight, but their love could not be fulfilled. According to the legend, her phantom appears in the castle during the full moon, looking for her beloved. Another tale tells of a treasure hidden in the castle dungeons, guarded by an enchanted knight.

For families with children, Kokořín Castle offers special tours with a guide dressed in historical costume, who tells the history of the fortress in a colorful way. During the summer season, the castle courtyard hosts demonstrations of knightly battles, workshops of ancient crafts and medieval fairs that transport visitors to distant times.

In terms of price, a visit to Kokořín Castle can be described as moderately expensive. Compared to Castle Cieszyn, tickets are slightly more expensive, but this is compensated for by the richness of the exposition and the picturesque location of the building. It is worth planning at least 2-3 hours for the tour to fully appreciate the charm of this place.

The final point of our weekend trip is the impressive Hradec nad Moravicí Castle, located in the picturesque valley of the Moravice River, just 10 kilometers from Opava. This monumental residence, which combines elements of various architectural styles, from the Middle Ages to the Neo-Baroque, impresses with its grandeur and richness of detail.

The history of the castle dates back to the early Middle Ages - the first mention of a fortress at the site dates back to 1060. Over the centuries, the site has witnessed key historical events and hosted many notable personalities. One of the most fascinating facts is that prominent composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Ferenc Liszt stayed at the castle. Beethoven composed part of his famous 'Eroica' here, inspired by the beauty of the surrounding countryside and the hospitality of the owners.

The castle consists of two main parts: the White Castle (Bílý zámek), a classicist mansion from the early 19th century, and the Red Castle (Červený zámek), a neo-Gothic building from the late 19th century that served as a guest house. Both buildings are connected by a covered corridor and surrounded by an extensive English-style landscaped park.

The interiors of Hradec nad Moravicí Castle impress with their splendor and rich furnishings. Particularly impressive is the Knights' Hall with its collection of weapons and armor, the library with valuable old prints, and the concert hall, where classical music recitals are still held. The castle retains original furnishings from the 19th century, including furniture, paintings, porcelain and silverware belonging to the Lichnowski and Razumowski families - the last owners of the mansion before World War II.

The castle is associated with the legend of the White Lady - the ghost of Princess Kunhuta, who, according to the legend, appears in the castle chambers, heralding important events. Another tale tells of mysterious underground corridors that were supposed to connect the castle with distant villages and serve as an escape route in times of danger.

The 136-hectare castle park is a true paradise for nature lovers. Monumental trees, some more than 200 years old, grow here, and hidden among them are romantic pavilions, bridges and sculptures. Picturesque walking paths lead through the park, ideal for family outings. Especially charming is the so-called 'Lower Park' with its system of ponds and canals.

For families with children, Hradec nad Moravicí Castle offers special tours, during which the youngest can learn about the castle's history in the form of a field game. During the summer season, historical demonstrations, concerts and workshops of ancient crafts are organized in the courtyard. Children especially enjoy the search for 'treasures' hidden in the castle park and the legends of ghosts that are said to haunt the old walls.

In terms of price, a visit to Hradec nad Moravicí Castle can be described as moderately priced. Compared to the other castles on our route, it offers the richest exposition and best-preserved interiors, which justifies the slightly higher ticket price. It's worth planning a full day for the tour, so you can explore both the castle and the extensive park in peace.

Hradec nad Moravicí Castle is distinguished from other sites of its kind by its excellent state of preservation and the authenticity of its interiors. Unlike Cieszyn Castle, which has been preserved in fragments, or Kokořín Castle, which was rebuilt in the 20th century, here we can admire the original furnishings and feel the atmosphere of an aristocratic residence from the turn of the 20th century.