Rožnov pod Radhoštěm is located about 17 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of Vsetín and 38 km (24 mi) south of Ostrava. It lies in the valley of the Rožnovská Bečva River. The northern part of the municipal territory lies in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids mountain range. The southern part with the built-up area lies in the Rožnov Furrow. The southernmost tip extends into the Hostýn-Vsetín Mountains. The whole territory of Rožnov pod Radhoštěm lies in the Beskydy Protected Landscape Area.
The highest point in the territory is located on the hillside of the Velká Polana mountain at 980 m (3,220 ft) above sea level. The Radhošť mountain whose name the town bears lies outside the territory.
Thanks to its location, protected by the surrounding hills from the north, the town has a favorable climate. The Carpathian winds that flow into the Rožnov Furrow dispel the fog and keep the weather in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm sunny for most of the year.[2]
History
Social House, formerly a spa building
The first written mention of Rožnov is from 1267. The village was founded during the colonization by Bruno von Schauenburg between 1246 and 1267, however, there is a possibility that there was already a small settlement that was only expanded. The castle on the Hradisko hill above Rožnov is first documented in 1310. In 1411, Rožnov was first referred to as a town.[2][3]
After the town was owned by several noble families, including lords of Kravaře, lords of Cimburk, it was acquired by the Zierotin family in 1548, who owned it until the 19th century. During their rule Rožnov economically developed. The glass-making and weaving became important in the town. Rožnov was known throughout the whole Habsburg monarchy for weaving linen and muslin. Local embroidery also gained fame. However, the inhabitants otherwise subsisted mainly on agriculture and pastoralism.[2]
For a long time, the town consisted only of wooden buildings and slowly transformed into stone ones. In 1796, a favorable healing effect of the local specific climate has been discovered. A climatic spa was founded in Rožnov in 1820. The spa history ended with the advent of World War II.[2]
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm is the starting point of a railway line to Kojetín via Valašské Meziříčí.[6]
Culture
Wallachian Open Air Museum
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm lies in the cultural region of Moravian Wallachia. An international folklore festival called Rožnovské slavnosti ("Rožnov Festivities") is held in the town every year.[7]
Sights
The Church of All Saints was built in 1745–1750. It replaced an old wooden church from the 16th century.[8]
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm is known for the Wallachian Open Air Museum. It is the largest museum of its kind in the country. The life of the ancestors and folk architecture are presented in three separate areas called Little Wooden Town, Wallachian Village and Water Mill Valley.[10] It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Czech Republic.[11]
On the Hradisko hill is the ruin of the Rožnov Castle. After being abandoned and occupied by bandits, it was demolished in 1538.[2]
Notable people
Naphtali Keller (1834–1865), Austrian scholar; lived and died here
Leo Katz (1887–1982), American painter and muralist
Gustav Brom (1921–1995), big band leader and arranger; lived here
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