Branky: Castle History, Park and Paths along the Loučka

The so-called old castle in Branky probably originated in the 18th century through the conversion of an earlier fortress; today it serves as the municipal office.

For your exploration, you can consider three perspectives side by side: architectural history, park landscape and paths along the Loučka. This structure helps you give cultural, landscape and active highlights the weight you prefer.

Other places: Hrachovec, Střelná, Valašská Polanka, Valasska Bystrice, Hutisko Solanec, Kelč, Lhota U Vsetína, Prlov.

The three areas provide a clear basis for your personal planning, while the decision between culture, nature or a cycling tour remains guided by your own priorities.

Culture

At the beginning of the 18th century, František Erasmus Lockner z Lockenau had the new castle in Branky built as a Baroque knight's residence. At the end of the 19th century, it acquired its present appearance through a historicist renovation carried out under the then owner, Dr Hans Huber. In the 1930s, the sculptor and painter Josef Siegel created the unique interior decoration of the new castle in Branky at the request of its then owner.

The architectural history of the new castle is characterised by several construction and design phases.

In front of the parish church in Branky stands a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk dating from 1734 and originating from Max. Lockner of Lokenav. The Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary in Branky was consecrated in 1787.

Nature

The castle park in Branky is part of the cultural monument; the revitalised castle park has been designed to be fully accessible.

The well-maintained castle park includes numerous valuable trees and shrubs, a pond and a summer amphitheatre.

The protected kingfisher breeds in the section of the Loučka stream between Branky and Poličná.

The Modrý rybníček in Branky serves as a refuge for amphibians and is an area of entomological importance.

The park, stream section and pond offer different focal points. When planning, you can decide whether nature observation, landscaped grounds or a cycling route should take up more space.

Routes

The marked Route 6216 leads from Poličná along the Loučka stream to Branky.

From the Bečva cycling route, an approximately five-kilometre cycling tour leads via Abácie Park and Poličná along the Loučka stream to Branky.

The different route lengths and starting points can serve as a comparison when you determine your preferred daily structure. Between Branky and Poličná, the meanders of the Loučka stream form a section almost two kilometres long.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Branky, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can form the personal framework. The accommodation decision remains separate from the three different focal points: the history of the castle, the landscaped park and the paths along the Loučka each point in their own direction. This allows you to define your desired emphasis without combining the three topics into a single programme for your stay.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Vsetín.