The castle was founded around 1242 by Zdeslav of Chlum and Šternberk.
The family crest of the founders, the Šternberk lineage, features an eight-pointed golden star on a blue field.
The castle served as an important defensive node on the trade route connecting Olomouc to Silesia.
It survived the Hussite Wars largely intact due to its formidable fortifications.
The Liechtenstein family acquired the estate in the 17th century and held it until the early 20th century.
The castle library contains rare prints and historical maps charting the development of the Moravian landscape.
Extensive structural changes in the late 19th century were influenced by the historicist architectural style popular in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The castle tower offers panoramic views reaching as far as the Jeseníky Mountains in clear weather.
A well-preserved Renaissance-style gatehouse marks the entrance to the inner castle courtyard.
State Castle Šternberk is a hilltop fortress originating in the mid-13th century, strategically located above the town of Šternberk in the Olomouc Region. The site evolved from a Gothic defensive stronghold into a Renaissance-era noble residence under the Berka of Dubá and later the Liechtenstein family. It houses an extensive collection of historical art, including Gothic wood carvings, Renaissance paintings, and 19th-century period furnishings. The castle complex features a prominent cylindrical keep, a hallmark of its defensive architecture. Restoration efforts have preserved the integrity of its multiple courtyard layers and defensive fortification systems. It currently functions as a cultural venue hosting educational tours and seasonal performances.
From the lower courtyard looking up at the cylindrical keep and the main tower.
Wear comfortable, sturdy footwear as the courtyard and interior floors are often uneven stone.
Plan for indoor tours as the castle's primary historical exhibits are located within the interior chambers.
Check the official website for specific theme-based tours that may not be available on all operating days.
Attempting to climb the perimeter walls or straying from marked pathways in the surrounding castle forest.
Closed on Mondays during the main tourist season; generally closed to the public during winter months.
Photography is often restricted inside the historical interiors; follow guide instructions regarding flash use.
