Culture and history
Karolinka combines a strong glassmaking tradition with distinctive cultural sites and a ski area on the edge of the town. A look at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel first leads into more recent architectural history: the church was built between 1994 and 1997. Its foundation stone was consecrated in Olomouc by Pope John Paul II on 21 May 1995. Inside, an altar with a 253 cm-high wooden statue of the Virgin Mary is the dominant design element. The statue was created by the woodcarver Ladislav Borák; the furnishings also include a mosaic by Juraj Begany, SVD.
The older history of glassmaking can be seen at the Karolinina huť glassworks. It was built in 1861–1862 on the eastern edge of Nový Hrozenkov by the entrepreneur Salomon Reich. Its products included cut glass and cylinders for paraffin lamps. Important markets were Vienna and Galicia. This development is further documented at the Karolinka Museum of Glassmaking. The museum opened to visitors on 16 August 2014, offering them the opportunity to learn about the skill and art of master glassmakers. Its gallery is open to visitors and displays paintings by the Valašsko masters Jiljí Hartinger, Karel Hofman and František Podešva. The paintings depict master glassmakers, glass production, life at the glassworks and Karolinka.
The Orság family settlement is also located in the Raťkov district of Karolinka. The ensemble includes a farmstead dating from 1831; it is considered an exceptionally valuable example of folk architecture from the first half of the 19th century. The Orság family settlement – Chalupy Pod šenkem No. 285 in Karolinka-Raťkov – was named the Folk Structure of the Year in the Zlín Region in 2021.
Activities throughout the year
The Karolinka Ski Area lies on the edge of the town of Karolinka in a valley between the ridges of the Vsetín Hills and the Javorníky Mountains. The ski area includes a 1,000 m-long ski slope. There is also a permanently groomed snow park, which is also suitable for snowboarding, as well as night skiing. This means that different forms of winter sports are available within the same area, without any further features needing to be added.
In summer, the Karolinka Ski Area offers children several types of trampolines, the inflatable attractions Bumperball and Aquaroller, pedal boats for the youngest children, and disc golf. The activities listed range from trampolines and movement-oriented inflatable attractions to pedal boats and disc golf.
Routes and landscape
The Vsetínská Bečva route also passes through Karolinka. It is 56.8 km long and runs from Velké Karlovice to Valašské Meziříčí. Most of the route follows a cycle path closed to motor traffic. For hiking, Karolinka is listed as a starting point and tourist centre for marked hiking trails.
Culinary experiences and other places
Raťkovský šenk, a restaurant regarded as well known, is located in the picturesque Raťkov Valley in Karolinka. It mainly serves Valašsko specialities as well as other popular dishes.
Other places in the same higher-level area include Lužná U Vsetína, Velké Karlovice, Lidečko, Francova Lhota, Zašová, Horni Becva, Ústí U Vsetína and Zubří.
