Folklore of Luhačovice Zálesí — Living Traditions of Moravia
In south-eastern Moravia, amidst a landscape of rolling hills and fruit orchards, lies a region that holds within itself the memory of centuries. Luhačovice Zálesí is not merely a geographical term — it is a living treasury of folk traditions that have been passed down uninterrupted from generation to generation. Unlike many other parts of Europe, where folklore has become a mere museum exhibit, here in Moravia it lives, breathes and continues to inspire new generations. If you’re seeking authentic Moravian folklore that isn’t staged for tourists but springs from deep conviction and locals’ love for their roots, then Luhačovice Zálesí is the right place.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the rich world of the region’s folk traditions — from costumes through dance and music to handicrafts and gastronomy, which remind us what it means to live in harmony with nature and one’s own history.
What is Luhačovice Zálesí
Geographical definition — the heart of south-eastern Moravia
Luhačovice Zálesí encompasses the area of villages surrounding the spa town of Luhačovice in the Zlín Region. It includes villages such as Pozlovice, Ludkovice, Polichno, Sehradice, Doubravy, Biskupice, Dolní Lhota and other settlements scattered across the picturesque hilly countryside. The region stretches across the borderlands of three distinct ethnographic areas — Wallachia, Slovácko and Haná — and precisely this position has given it its unrepeatable character.
Crossroads of three cultures
The ethnographic region of Zálesí first appears on Comenius’s map of Moravia from the 17th century, where it is listed alongside Haná and Wallachia as a separate area. Professor Antonín Václavík named the narrower territory of Luhačovice Zálesí as an independent ethnographic region in his monograph Luhačovské Zálesí, published by the Museum Society in Luhačovice in 1930, where he presented the results of more than twenty years of collecting and research work.
What makes Luhačovice Zálesí so culturally unique is its transitional character. Here elements of the mountain folk culture of Wallachia meet with influences from the lowland regions of Slovácko and Haná. Hanakian influence was rather marginal, whilst Slovácko and Wallachian elements were more pronounced. The result is a distinctive cultural synthesis that has no equivalent in Bohemia or Moravia.
Specific dialect and customs
The local dialect represents a fascinating mixture of Wallachian, Slovácko and Hanakian linguistic elements. Older inhabitants still use expressions that would be incomprehensible in Prague or Brno. This dialect, like the local customs and rituals connected with the annual cycle, forms the invisible but strong backbone of regional identity. Folk traditions Zlín Region remain alive thanks to areas like Zálesí and attract ethnographers, folklorists and visitors from around the world.
Folk costumes of Zálesí — textile art passed down through centuries
Women’s costume — the crown of Zálesí beauty
The women’s costume of Luhačovice Zálesí belongs amongst the most charming in all Moravia. Originally it belonged to the mountain type and used home-processed materials — woollen cloth, hemp and linen fabric. Gradually, however, it absorbed purchased materials and new lowland elements, creating a completely original clothing ensemble.
The foundation of the women’s festive costume is an embroidered shirt, the so-called rubáč with shoulder piece, worn with the old type of sleeves with narrow standing collar and cuffs decorated with cream embroidery. The sleeves feature colourfully embroidered flounces, which belong amongst the most beautiful details of the entire costume. Over the shirt is worn the fěrtoch — a front apron, which in festive version was made from indigo-printed fabric. On the head, a headscarf was essential, whose tying differed according to the age and marital status of the woman. Unmarried girls wore so-called pentlení — ribbons woven into their hair, which formed an impressive crown of colours.
The embroidery on Zálesí costumes reaches exceptional artistic standards. It developed in a complex way from simple stylisation of functional joining stitches to artistically and technically demanding compositions. These embroideries were not only used on costumes, but also appear on rare and ancient ceremonial sheets, which belong amongst the most valuable textile monuments of the region.
Men’s costume — restrained elegance
The men’s costume of Zálesí is more restrained than the women’s, yet immensely elegant. The foundation consists of a white linen shirt with fine embroidery on the collar and cuffs. Over the shirt are worn prucelky (waistcoat) — in festive version decorated with coloured embroidery or appliqué. Trousers were traditionally of dark cloth, narrow and reaching below the knees, where they buttoned up. On the head, the klobúk was essential — a felt hat whose shape and decoration differed according to the occasion. The festive costume also includes high boots and a leather belt.
How the Zálesí costume differs
Compared to the richly decorated Slovácko costumes with their typical red and blue patterns, the Zálesí costume is more subtle and gentler in decoration. Wallachian costumes tend to be darker and simpler, adapted to the harsher mountain life. The Zálesí costume stands somewhere in between — combining Slovácko decorativeness with Wallachian practicality to create a harmonious, unmistakable whole that reveals its transitional character.
Where to see costumes in action today
Costumes are not confined to museum display cases in this region. During parish festivals, celebrations and ceremonies, local people wear them with pride. The greatest concentration of costumes can be experienced during the Ride of the Kings in Vlčnov, Slovácko Wine Festivals in Uherské Hradiště, or local parish festivals and carnival processions. At the Museum of Luhačovice Zálesí, founded as early as 1918, you can then examine historical examples and understand how the costume tradition developed over the centuries.
Folk music and dance — rhythm that captivates
Cimbalom music — the sound of Moravia
If there is one sound that defines Moravian folklore, it is the chiming of the cimbalom accompanied by violins, clarinet and double bass. Cimbalom music in south-eastern Moravia is more than a musical tradition — it is a means of communication, expressing emotions and maintaining social bonds. Around Luhačovice, several cimbalom bands operate, playing at parish festivals, weddings, during wine harvest and at ordinary friendly gatherings.
Like the entire folk culture of Zálesí, the local music also has a transitional character. You’ll find elements typical of the Slovácko region — fast, spirited melodies suitable for dancing — but also slower, more lyrical Wallachian songs that tell of love, nature and hard life in the mountains. Typical is the occurrence of a large number of dance songs, especially for spinning dances, and also halekačky were frequently sung here — melodic calls that resounded from hill to hill.
Verbuňk — men’s dance on the UNESCO list
Slovácko verbuňk is an energetic men’s dance that became the very first Czech entry on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005. It is an improvised, spirited folk dance with singing as an integral part. The dancer is not bound by precise choreographic rules — each man dances in his own way, expressing his personality, strength and temperament.
Historically, verbuňk served to bid farewell to conscripts before their departure for military service. Today it is danced during ceremonial processions, parish festivals and competitions. Each year at the International Folklore Festival in Strážnice, a competition is held for the best verbuňk dancer. Six regional types exist, ensuring great variety in figures and dance rhythms.
Other dances and folklore groups
Besides verbuňk, the region traditionally dances sedlácká — a couple dance with typical spinning, řemeslnická and a series of other spinning dances that are so characteristic of Zálesí. Dance in Moravia is a social event that connects generations — at parish festivals, grandfather and grandson, grandmother and granddaughter dance side by side.
Around Luhačovice, several folklore groups operate that actively maintain traditions. Among the best known is the Malé Zálesí ensemble right in Luhačovice, which focuses on presenting the traditions of the Luhačovice region. Other groups can be found in Uherské Hradiště, Uherský Brod and other towns in the Zlín Region. These groups are not mere interpreters — they are living bearers of tradition who also devote themselves to collecting and documenting old songs and dances.
Traditional customs and festivals — the year marked by traditions
The folk year in Moravia is permeated with rituals and celebrations that reflect the deep connection between humans and nature, the agricultural cycle and Christian faith. Folk traditions Zlín Region preserves with extraordinary care, and in many villages customs are observed whose roots reach deep into pre-Christian times.
Shrovetide and carnival — exuberant farewell to winter
Shrovetide, called fašank in south-eastern Moravia, is a period of merriment and abundance between Christmas and Lent. It ends on Ash Wednesday, whose date changes according to Easter and falls between mid-February and early March. Carnival processions represent one of the most colourful expressions of Moravian tradition.
Masked men tour the village — bear, mare, old woman, straw man, chimney sweep and death — and during stops at houses, men and boys dance the Dance Under Sabres, whose roots reach back to the oldest expressions of dance culture on the Moravian-Slovak borderland. The entire day of carnival celebrations culminates in the symbolic burial of the bass — a ceremony marking the end of the time of merriment and abundance and the beginning of the fasting period. The largest and best-known Festival of Shrovetide Traditions Fašank has been held since 1987 in Strání near Uherský Brod.
Carrying out Morena — spring awakening
With the arrival of spring comes one of the oldest Slavic customs — carrying out Morena. A straw figure symbolising winter and death is carried out of the village in ceremonial procession and thrown into a stream or burned. This ritual, whose roots reach into pagan times, symbolises the victory of spring over winter, life over death, light over darkness. In villages around Luhačovice this custom is observed to this day, often in combination with other spring rituals, such as decorating wells or welcoming spring with song.
Opening of springs in Luhačovice
A specific tradition directly in Luhačovice is the ceremonial opening of the spa season, connected with the blessing of healing springs. This event, which takes place in spring, combines spa history with folkloric elements — procession in folk costumes, folk music and tasting of mineral waters. It’s a beautiful example of how modern spa culture intertwines with deep regional roots in Luhačovice.
Ride of the Kings in Vlčnov — the crown jewel of Moravian folklore
If there exists one tradition that embodies the beauty and mystery of Moravian folklore, it is the Ride of the Kings. This ancient celebration, which takes place in Vlčnov annually on the last weekend in May, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011.
The origin of the Ride of the Kings is shrouded in mystery and wrapped in legends. Some historians see its roots in the time when the defeated Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus tried to flee across Moravia disguised as a woman. Others believe it is a remnant of pagan rites celebrating the transition of young men into adulthood. Whatever the truth, the Ride of the Kings is a spectacle that will take your breath away.
The king — a boy aged ten to twelve — rides through the village with his retinue. Both the king and his attendants are dressed in girls’ festive costume. The king’s face is veiled with coloured ribbons and in his mouth he holds a white rose as a symbol of innocence, nobility and silence. The retinue calls out rhymed proclamations during the ride through the village, praising the king and requesting gifts from inhabitants. The tradition has been passed down from generation to generation continuously and today belongs amongst the most significant customs not only in Slovácko, but throughout the Czech Republic. Vlčnov lies just thirty minutes’ drive from Luhačovice.
Parish festivals and harvest festivals — autumn celebrations of gratitude
Autumn brings parish festivals and harvest celebrations — festivities connected with the completion of agricultural work and thanksgiving for the harvest. Parish festivals are the most important event of the year in many Moravian villages. The entire village dresses in folk costumes, cimbalom music plays, verbuňk and sedlácká are danced, and tables groan under traditional dishes and cakes. In Slovácko, ceremonial processions with rights — symbolic signs representing individual families and guilds — are also associated with parish festivals.
Advent and Christmas traditions
The Advent and Christmas period brings a special atmosphere to the villages of Zálesí. The tradition of living nativity scenes, which have enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years, transfers the Christmas story to rural courtyards and village squares. Carvers display wooden nativity scenes, carols resound in churches and the entire region is wrapped in peaceful, contemplative mood. Christmas markets in surrounding towns offer traditional handicrafts, honey gingerbread and mulled wine that warms both body and soul.
Folk gastronomy — the taste of Moravia on a plate
No exploration of Moravian tradition is complete without tasting the local cuisine. Moravian gastronomy is rich, hearty and full of flavours that reflect the agricultural character of the region.
Frgály — Wallachian cakes with soul
Frgál is a large, thin cake made from yeast dough covered with a generous layer of filling and sprinkled with crumb topping. This delicacy arose from the practical need of Wallachian housewives to use everything the household offered, and was baked for every occasion — weddings, christenings, Christmas, Easter and ordinary feasts. The filling can be cottage cheese, poppy seed, walnut or pear, with pear frgál considered the most authentic. The history of frgály goes back over two hundred years and today they are a symbol of all Wallachia.
Kyselica — soup that warms
Wallachian kyselica is a traditional soup whose base consists of sauerkraut, potatoes, sausage and cream. According to regional customs, mushrooms, dried plums or other ingredients are added. It’s a hearty dish that warmed generations of Wallachian farmers and shepherds during harsh winter months. Today you can find it in restaurants throughout the region and its taste is the best invitation to discover authentic Moravian cuisine.
Slivovice and spirits — liquid gold of Moravia
Moravian slivovice is more than a drink — it’s a cultural institution. The distilling of slivovice from blue plums, which grow abundantly in orchards around Luhačovice, has a centuries-old tradition in Moravia. Every family has its recipe, its distillery and its opinion on how proper slivovice should taste. Besides slivovice, apricot brandy, pear brandy and other fruit spirits are also distilled in the region. Tasting homemade spirits is an inseparable part of every visit to the Moravian countryside.
Tvarůžky and Moravian wine
Olomouc tvarůžky, originating from nearby Haná, are enormously popular in the Zálesí region. This strongly aromatic cheese with specific taste is either loved or hated — nothing in between exists. Try them on bread with onion and butter, as is done traditionally.
Moravian wine from neighbouring Slovácko then perfectly complements the entire gastronomic experience. Wine regions around Uherské Hradiště and Staré Město produce excellent white and red wines that belong amongst the best in the Czech Republic. Burčák — partially fermented grape must available at the turn of summer and autumn — is then an experience you must taste at least once in your lifetime.
Craft traditions — beauty born from hands
Traditional crafts represent another layer of the region’s rich cultural heritage. In Luhačovice Zálesí, craft products achieved remarkable aesthetic standards, especially in the areas of wood carving, dyeing, embroidery and pottery.
Blue print — UNESCO treasure from Strážnice
Blue print is an ancient textile printing technique consisting of dyeing fabrics with indigo blue. In 2018, blue print was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage based on a joint nomination by several Central European states. The centre of blue print tradition in Moravia is the town of Strážnice, where the workshop of the Joch family has operated since 1906, where the craft is passed down from generation to generation.
In the mid-19th century, blue print was part of festive costumes — front aprons called fěrtochy made from blue print were an alternative to coloured prints on white fabric. Today the Strážnice workshop produces not only fabric by the metre for traditional and stylised costumes, but also modern utilitarian and decorative items — tablecloths, bags, ties and other products that transfer the ancient technique into contemporary design.
Ceramics and pottery
The pottery tradition in south-eastern Moravia reaches deep into the past. Local ceramics are characterised by distinctive shapes and decoration — from simple utilitarian vessels to richly painted faience plates and jugs. In the Museum of Luhačovice Zálesí you’ll find beautiful examples of regional ceramics that document the development of this craft from simple forms to artistically valuable works.
Wood carving — art from Zálesí forests
In a region rich in forests, the tradition of wood carving naturally developed. Local carvers created everything from practical everyday objects through decorative elements of folk architecture to nativity figurines and small artistic items. Wood carving was one of the main inspirational sources for architect Dušan Jurkovič, who thoroughly studied the work of folk carpenters, joiners and carvers and then transferred their motifs into his famous buildings.
Where to buy original folk products
If you want to take a piece of Moravia home, visit the Museum of Luhačovice Zálesí, which offers regional products, or head to one of the folklore festivals and markets, where folk craftsmen demonstrate their art right before your eyes and offer original products. You can buy Strážnice blue print directly in the local workshop or in its online shop. At Christmas and Easter markets in Luhačovice and surrounding towns, you’ll then find ceramics, wood carvings, painted eggs and other traditional products.
Where to experience folklore from Luhačovice — trips worth taking
Luhačovice is an ideal base for discovering Moravian folklore in all its richness. From the spa town you can easily reach a number of exceptional events and places that will bring you closer to folk traditions Zlín Region and all of south-eastern Moravia.
Strážnice — International Folklore Festival
The International Folklore Festival in Strážnice is the second oldest folklore festival in the Czech Republic — its first edition was held in 1946. Every year at the end of June, the town transforms into one great stage of folk culture. During the festival, dozens of folklore groups from Bohemia, Moravia and abroad perform, verbuňk dancer competitions are held, ceremonial processions in folk costumes take place and cimbalom and brass bands perform.
The festival takes place in amphitheatres in the castle park, in the viticultural area and in front of farmsteads in nearby Strážnice Open Air Museum. Since 2009, Children’s Strážnice has been included, aimed at the youngest visitors. From Strážnice it’s about an hour’s drive to Luhačovice — the perfect distance for a day trip.
Vlčnov — Ride of the Kings
We’ve already mentioned the Ride of the Kings, but it’s worth repeating: this UNESCO-listed tradition takes place annually on the last weekend in May and is an experience that cannot be described in words — you must see it with your own eyes. Vlčnov lies just thirty kilometres from Luhačovice and on the day of the Ride of the Kings, the village is literally flooded with thousands of visitors in costumes and without them.
Uherské Hradiště — Slovácko Wine Festivals
Every second weekend in September, the historic centre of Uherské Hradiště transforms into one great stage of Moravian tradition. The Slovácko Wine and Open Monuments Festival has been held since 2003 and belongs amongst the most significant cultural events in Slovácko. The greatest attraction is the costumed procession through the city, participated in by over three thousand people in folk costumes from almost fifty towns and villages. In hundreds of stalls, winemakers, market traders and folk craftsmen present themselves. Uherské Hradiště is about thirty minutes’ drive from Luhačovice.
Rožnov pod Radhoštěm — Wallachian Open Air Museum
On the opposite side — towards Wallachia — lies Rožnov pod Radhoštěm with the oldest and largest open-air museum in Central Europe. The Wallachian Open Air Museum, founded in 1925, includes three areas — the Wooden Town, Wallachian Village and Mill Valley — with nearly a hundred heritage buildings. During the year-round folklore festival Wallachian Year, over sixty programme events take place here, featuring folklore groups from the entire region. The museum receives over half a million visitors annually. The journey from Luhačovice takes about an hour.
Folklore in Luhačovice itself
Jurkovič architecture — where Art Nouveau meets folk art
The unique natural environment of Luhačovice inspired Slovak architect Dušan Jurkovič to create a completely unique complex of buildings in a style that is called folk Art Nouveau. Between 1902 and 1914, Jurkovič fundamentally influenced the appearance of individual buildings and the entire urbanism of the spa. His buildings combine motifs of regional Carpathian folk creation with decorative principles of Art Nouveau and influences of the English Arts and Crafts movement into a completely original architectural whole.
From the 1890s, Jurkovič intensively engaged in documenting folk architecture on the Moravian-Slovak borderland. The work of folk carpenters, joiners and carvers was great inspiration for him both in terms of ornamentation and production technology. The result is architecture that is simultaneously modern and deeply rooted in folk tradition — Jurkovič House, Slovácká búda, Jestřabí and other buildings are still gems that fascinate visitors from around the world.
Luhačovice architecture documents the spread of modern impulses into Central Europe at the turn of the century and corresponds with the emancipation movement of Central European Slavic nations, striving for self-identification through folk culture. Folklore Luhačovice is therefore not just a matter of costumes and dances — it is imprinted into the very architecture of the town.
Art in the spa park
Walking through the spa park, you’ll encounter numerous sculptures and artworks that reference the folk traditions of the region. Statues of figures in folk costumes, reliefs inspired by folkloric motifs and the overall character of the park landscaping create an environment where past naturally intertwines with present. The park is a living space where during the summer season concerts of folk music, folkloric performances and cultural events take place.
Elektra Cultural Centre and Museum of Luhačovice Zálesí
The Elektra Cultural Centre in Luhačovice offers a regular programme including concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions, many of which focus on regional culture and folklore. The Museum of Luhačovice Zálesí, one of the oldest regional museums in Moravia, then presents a permanent exhibition devoted to the history and folk culture of the region — from costumes through ceramics, faience and glass painting to sculptures and blue print forms. The Dušan Jurkovič Cabinet within the museum then introduces the life and work of this exceptional architect.
Hotel Vincent — your base for discovering Moravian folklore
If you’re enchanted by the idea of discovering Luhačovice Zálesí and its traditions firsthand, you need a reliable and pleasant base. Hotel Vincent in Luhačovice offers ideal accommodation for your stay — whether you’re planning a day trip to a folklore festival, a weekend escape to the Moravian countryside, or a longer spa stay enriched with cultural experiences.
The hotel is located in the heart of Luhačovice, from where it’s walking distance to all the main monuments, springs and the spa park. From Luhačovice you can then easily reach all the above-mentioned events and places by car or public transport — Vlčnov, Strážnice, Uherské Hradiště and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm.
The Hotel Vincent team will gladly advise you on planning trips, recommend current cultural events in the region and help you create a programme tailored to your interests. Just get in touch:
- Email: ahoj@vincentluhacovice.cz
- Phone: +420 720 072 780
- Reservations: vincentluhacovice.cz/rezervace-ubytovani
Why go to Moravia for folklore
In an age when the world is globalising and local cultures disappear under pressure of uniformity, south-eastern Moravia represents a rare exception. Moravian tradition is not a museum exhibit behind glass — it is a living, pulsating organism that constantly renews itself and finds new forms of existence.
When cimbalom music resounds at Moravian parish festivals, when the Ride of the Kings procession passes through the village, when carnival masqueraders run through the street with clanging sabres — at that moment you understand that tradition is not a matter of the past. It is a bridge that connects generations. It is a language through which young people learn to understand their ancestors. It is an anchor of identity in the stormy sea of the contemporary world.
Moravian folklore differs from many other European folklore traditions in one fundamental quality — it is authentically alive. These are not paid actors in costumes performing traditions for tourists. These are real people who wear the costumes of their grandmothers and grandfathers because they feel a deep need to maintain connection with who they are and where they come from.
Luhačovice Zálesí is particularly interesting in this respect because it stands at the crossroads of three great Moravian cultural areas. By visiting this region, you don’t gain just one experience — you gain insight into the entire mosaic of Moravian folk culture, its diversity and unity.
Whether you’re attracted to costumes, music, dance, crafts, gastronomy, or architecture inspired by folk art — folklore Luhačovice and surroundings will offer you everything. And most importantly: it will offer it to you in authentic, natural form that will engrave itself in your heart and make you return again and again.
Come to Moravia. Come to Luhačovice. And let yourself be carried away by tradition that lives.