Janáček Festival and Musical Traditions of Luhačovice — when the spa town lives classical music
Luhačovice is known primarily as the largest Moravian spa town, where healing mineral springs and enchanting Art Nouveau architecture attract visitors from across the Czech Republic and abroad. Few realise, however, that this town also has an extraordinarily rich musical history, inseparably connected to one of the greatest Czech composers of all time — Leoš Janáček. Through his repeated stays, creative inspiration and the story of his fateful love for Kamila Stösslová, Luhačovice became one of the most significant places on the map of Czech classical music. The Janáček and Luhačovice Festival, held in this spa town since 1992, is proof that the musical legacy of the great Moravian composer still lives and resonates in Luhačovice.
Come with us to follow in the footsteps of Leoš Janáček, learn the story of the festival that bears his name, and discover all the places where classical music in Moravia pulses to this day.
Leoš Janáček and Luhačovice — a story of love, inspiration and creativity
First visit and enchantment with the spa town
Leoš Janáček first visited Luhačovice probably as early as 1886 at the invitation of his uncle Jan Janáček, a priest from nearby Vnorovy. The decisive turning point, however, came in 1903, when Janáček returned to Luhačovice and immediately fell in love with this spa town so much that he subsequently came here every summer until his death in 1928. In total, he visited Luhačovice twenty-five times and spent sixty weeks here — more than an entire year of his life.
As early as his first stay in 1903, Janáček began diligently recording dozens of melodies in his notation book that captured his daily encounters with local residents and spa guests. He later processed and published these notes in an article called My Luhačovice, which remains a fascinating testimony to how deeply the atmosphere of this town affected him. Here Janáček listened to the melodies of folk speech, forest sounds, the murmur of springs and conversations on the colonnade — and transformed all these sounds into music.
Meeting Kamila Stösslová — muse and fateful love
The key moment in Janáček’s relationship with Luhačovice came in the summer of 1917. In July of that year, he met a young, sad woman on a bench in the spa park — Kamila Stösslová from Písek. Janáček was 63 at the time, Kamila only 25. Despite both being married and separated by a huge age gap, a bond formed between them that fundamentally influenced Janáček’s later work and made him one of the most original composers of the 20th century.
Over the following eleven years, Janáček wrote more than 700 letters to Kamila, in which he declared his love and shared his creative plans. Kamila maintained a certain emotional distance from him, yet remained his faithful friend and was with him when he died in 1928. Their relationship, full of passionate feeling and artistic inspiration, is one of the most remarkable stories in music history.
Works inspired by Luhačovice and Kamila
The meeting with Kamila Stösslová sparked the creation of several of Janáček’s masterpieces. The most significant include:
- The Diary of One Who Disappeared — a song cycle for tenor, alto, three female voices and piano, which Janáček began composing in August 1917, shortly after meeting Kamila. This work about young love overcoming social barriers is a deeply personal confession.
- Káťa Kabanová — an opera in which Janáček openly admitted that he created the character of the main heroine Káťa based on Kamila. The story of a woman longing for freedom and love mirrors his own feelings.
- The Makropulos Affair — the character of Emilia Marty was also inspired by Kamila, this time as a fascinating, mysterious and irresistible woman.
- The Cunning Little Vixen — Janáček worked on this piece during his stay at the Augustinian House in Luhačovice in 1922.
- Glagolitic Mass — one of Janáček’s most monumental works, composed at the Augustinian House in Luhačovice in 1926.
- String Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Letters” — a work dedicated to Kamila, full of passionate emotions and intimate confessions.
- Sinfonietta — the famous orchestral piece, also influenced by Janáček’s relationship with Kamila.
It can be said without exaggeration that without Luhačovice and without Kamila Stösslová, the world would have lost some of the most moving works of Czech music.
Where Janáček stayed in Luhačovice
During his numerous visits, Janáček changed several accommodation facilities. He stayed at the director’s villa, at Villa Vlastimila, at Villa Růžová, at Jan’s House or at the Jestřábí pension. Most often and most happily, however, he stayed at the Augustinian House, which became a kind of second home for him in Luhačovice. It was here that some of his key works were created and it was here that he always returned with joy and creative energy.
Janáček loved walks in the spa park, sitting by the colonnade and sipping the healing mineral water Vincentka. He often walked in the surrounding forests and recorded the sounds of nature — birdsong, the rustle of wind in treetops, the babbling of streams. He then transformed all these sound impressions into a unique musical language that is admired worldwide today.
Janáček and Luhačovice Festival — celebrating musical legacy
History and origins of the festival
The Janáček and Luhačovice Festival was established in 1992 on the initiative of PhDr. Jaromír Dlouhý, who recognised that Luhačovice had exceptional musical potential connected to Leoš Janáček’s legacy. From its first year, the festival quickly established itself as one of the prestigious musical events in the Czech Republic and for three decades has attracted renowned artists, ensembles and music enthusiasts from across Europe.
In 2010, the organisation of the festival was taken over by Lázně Luhačovice, a.s., under the leadership of manager Milena Hrbáčová, who gave the festival a new dimension and helped expand its programme and audience. The festival thus became an integral part of the town’s cultural calendar and one of the main reasons why cultural tourists from near and far head to Luhačovice during the summer months.
Programme of a typical year
The Janáček and Luhačovice Festival traditionally offers a diverse programme that appeals both to connoisseurs of classical music and visitors who are just beginning to discover the world of classical music. A typical year includes:
- Chamber concerts — performances by chamber ensembles and soloists in the truly intimate setting of the spa town.
- Opera performances — staging of Janáček’s operas or operas by composers who were creatively connected to Janáček.
- Orchestral concerts — performances by orchestras interpreting Janáček’s work and the broader repertoire of Czech and world classical music.
- Lectures and discussions — popularisation programmes devoted to Janáček’s life, his relationship with Luhačovice and his musical legacy.
- Guided walks — walks through places connected with Janáček’s stay in Luhačovice, introducing visitors to the composer’s daily life in the spa town.
Venues
One of the festival’s greatest assets is that concerts and other programmes take place in the authentic spaces of the spa town where Janáček himself stayed and created. The main venues include:
- Music Pavilion — an iconic building by architect Dušan Jurkovič, which is one of the symbols of Luhačovice.
- Spa Colonnade — the promenade in the heart of the spa park, where music played even in Janáček’s time.
- Elektra Community House — a modern concert space in the town offering excellent acoustics for orchestral and chamber performances.
- Sluneční Lázně premises — a historic complex offering a unique atmosphere for musical experiences.
Dates and tickets
The festival is traditionally held during the summer months, usually at the turn of June and July, when Luhačovice is in full spa bloom. Exact dates may vary each year, so we recommend following the festival’s official website at www.janacekluhacovice.cz or the Luhačovice town website.
Tickets can be purchased online through the festival website, at the Luhačovice information centre or directly on-site before individual concerts begin. Due to the popularity of some concerts, we recommend securing tickets in advance, especially for opening and closing gala concerts.
Dušan Jurkovič’s Music Pavilion — architectural gem and musical symbol of Luhačovice
History of the building
The Music Pavilion was designed and built between 1902 and 1903 by Slovak-Moravian architect Dušan Jurkovič, who is rightly considered one of the most significant creators of spa architecture in Luhačovice. The pavilion was originally located on Lázeňské Square and served as a place where the spa orchestra played for visitors to the spa. Music played here every day and was an integral part of the spa ritual.
In April 1910, the pavilion was moved to Villa Jestřábí to make way for a larger orchestral building. Even in its new location, however, it continued its musical function and remains one of the most photographed buildings in Luhačovice to this day.
Architectural details — folk Art Nouveau in all its beauty
The Music Pavilion is an exemplary building of the style known as folk Art Nouveau. Jurkovič combined modern Art Nouveau principles with traditional elements of folk architecture from Wallachia and Slovácko. The pavilion is built entirely of wood on a narrow stone prismatic base and gives the impression of standing on “chicken legs” — it reminds many visitors of a fairy-tale cottage.
The colourful decoration, carved details and harmonious integration into the surrounding nature make the pavilion a true work of art. Jurkovič’s architecture is omnipresent in Luhačovice — besides the Music Pavilion, he also designed Jurkovič House, Villa Vlastimila, Chaloupka and other buildings that give the spa town its unmistakable character.
Current use
Today, the Music Pavilion primarily serves for concerts and cultural events during the summer months. Some of the concerts of the Janáček and Luhačovice festival take place here, creating a unique connection between historic architecture, natural environment and live music. Listening to Janáček’s music in the place where Janáček himself walked and found inspiration is an experience that is deeply etched in memory.
Other musical and cultural events in Luhačovice
The Janáček and Luhačovice Festival is far from the only cultural event in this spa town. Luhačovice offers a diverse year-round programme that delights lovers of music, theatre and traditional folk culture.
Summer colonnade concerts
Every summer, Luhačovice comes alive with the sounds of colonnade concerts, which continue a tradition reaching deep into the spa town’s past. Jazz bands, folk ensembles, classical musicians and popular performers appear on the colonnade. Sometimes concerts are accompanied by historic fashion shows or performances by folklore groups. Sitting on the colonnade with a glass of Vincentka and listening to live music is one of the most beautiful spa experiences.
Opening of the springs
Opening of the springs is a traditional spring celebration held every year on the second weekend in May, symbolically opening the spa season. During this three-day festival, the healing springs and beautiful Art Nouveau buildings come alive with colourful folk costumes, Art Nouveau outfits, vintage cars, dancing and singing. The programme includes a ceremonial blessing of the springs, a market with regional products, concerts, theatre performances and a parade of vintage cars. It is one of the largest and most visited events in Luhačovice, attracting thousands of visitors from across the republic.
Town celebrations
Luhačovice regularly hosts town celebrations that include concerts, theatre performances, sports competitions and activities for families with children. These celebrations honour the history and traditions of the spa town and offer an opportunity to experience local culture, gastronomy and craft traditions.
Advent and Christmas concerts
Even in the winter months, Luhačovice has much to offer. Advent markets and Christmas concerts fill the town with festive atmosphere. The sounds of carols and classical Christmas music carry through the spa park and colonnade, creating a uniquely romantic experience. Christmas time in Luhačovice is ideal for those seeking peace, relaxed atmosphere and cultural experiences without the pre-Christmas rush of big cities.
Janáček Trail — walking tour of places connected with Janáček
For all who want to experience Luhačovice through Janáček’s eyes, there is the Janáček Trail — a guided walk through places most closely connected with the composer’s life in the spa town. The trail takes visitors through key points of Janáček’s Luhačovice stay and offers a unique view of how this town’s environment shaped his work.
Stops on the trail include:
- Augustinian House — Janáček’s favourite accommodation, where the Glagolitic Mass and The Cunning Little Vixen were created.
- Spa Park — the place of first meeting with Kamila Stösslová in 1917.
- Music Pavilion — Dušan Jurkovič’s building, where music played even in Janáček’s time.
- Colonnade — the promenade where Janáček regularly rested and listened to the sounds around him.
- Villa Vlastimila — another of Janáček’s stay locations, where he sketched out The Diary of One Who Disappeared.
- Exhibition at Sluneční Lázně complex — an exhibition dedicated to Janáček’s relationship with Luhačovice.
The walk is ideal for individuals and groups and takes approximately one to two hours depending on how much time you spend at individual stops. Information about tours can be obtained at the Luhačovice information centre.
Janáček memorials in the wider region
Leoš Janáček’s legacy extends far beyond the borders of Luhačovice. If you want to immerse yourself even deeper into the world of this genius composer, it’s worth visiting other places in Moravia that are inseparably connected with his life and work.
Brno — Janáček Theatre and Janáček Academy
Janáček Theatre in Brno is one of the main venues of the National Theatre Brno and home to opera and ballet performances. It rightfully bears Janáček’s name, because Brno was the city where Janáček spent most of his professional life, led the organ school and composed his most famous works. The theatre is located on Rooseveltova Street and its repertoire regularly includes Janáček’s operas.
Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts (JAMU) is a prestigious Brno university with more than seventy years of tradition, educating generations of outstanding artists — composers, conductors, directors, actors, singers and instrumentalists. The school bears Janáček’s name as a tribute to the composer’s pedagogical legacy and his lifelong effort to develop Czech musical culture.
Brno also hosts the Janáček Brno International Music Festival, one of the most significant showcases of Janáček’s work on a global scale. The festival is traditionally held in autumn and offers opera performances, concerts, lectures and other accompanying programmes.
Hukvaldy — birthplace and summer festival
Hukvaldy in the Moravian-Silesian Region is Leoš Janáček’s birthplace. The composer’s birthplace is now a museum managed by the Leoš Janáček Foundation and offers a permanent exhibition dedicated to the composer’s life and work. Hukvaldy awarded the composer honorary citizenship and Janáček confessed in his letter of thanks: “You know how my whole soul clings to those cottages of ours, those forests, to Hukvaldy from head to toe!”
Every summer the Janáček Hukvaldy International Music Festival is held here, which was established in 1994. Since 2018, it has been part of a larger whole — the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival, which connects concert venues in Hukvaldy, Opava, Frýdek-Místek, Nový Jičín and Příbor. The festival runs from the end of May to the beginning of July and offers concerts in the unique setting of Hukvaldy Castle and the newly reconstructed Hukvaldy Courtyard.
Hotel Vincent as a base for the festival and cultural stay in Luhačovice
If you are planning to visit the Janáček and Luhačovice festival or other cultural events in the spa town, it is crucial to choose accommodation that allows you to fully enjoy the festival atmosphere and the beauty of Luhačovice. Hotel Vincent is an excellent choice in this regard.
Peaceful location with perfect accessibility
Hotel Vincent offers peaceful accommodation in a pleasant environment, from where it is a comfortable walk to all the main cultural sites of Luhačovice. The Music Pavilion, spa colonnade and Elektra Community House are within easy reach, so after an evening concert you can return to the hotel peacefully and without worry and savour the impressions from the day.
Proximity to Music Pavilion and colonnade
Thanks to its location near the spa centre, Hotel Vincent is an ideal base not only for festival visitors, but also for all who want to experience Luhačovice with everything they offer — from morning walks in the park through tasting mineral springs to evening concerts under the open sky. The Janáček Trail begins practically around the corner.
Booking tips during festival time
During the Janáček and Luhačovice festival and other major cultural events (especially Opening of the Springs), demand for accommodation in Luhačovice is high. Therefore, we strongly recommend booking accommodation well in advance — ideally several months ahead. Early booking will ensure not only a place but often better prices too.
You can make a reservation at Hotel Vincent conveniently online at vincentluhacovice.cz/rezervace-ubytovani/ or contact reception directly:
- Email: ahoj@vincentluhacovice.cz
- Phone: +420 720 072 780
Who the festival is suitable for
The Janáček and Luhačovice Festival is an event that appeals to a broad spectrum of visitors. It is not intended only for connoisseurs of classical music — its charm lies precisely in being able to appeal to anyone who is open to new experiences and wants to discover the richness of Czech musical culture.
Classical music lovers
For devoted fans of classical music in Moravia, the festival is absolutely essential. The opportunity to hear Janáček’s music in the environment that inspired it is an experience that cannot be compared to any other concert hall in the world. The authenticity of the place, intimate atmosphere and high artistic level of interpretations create a unique whole.
Cultural tourists
If you travel for culture and are looking for destinations that offer more than just monuments and museums, Luhačovice during festival time is an ideal choice. The combination of music, architecture, nature and spa comfort creates a complete cultural experience that deserves at least an extended weekend.
School trips and educational programmes
The festival and Janáček Trail are also an excellent destination for school trips. Students can experience the life and work of one of the most significant Czech composers in a lively way, visit places connected with his work and hear with their own ears music that was created right here. It is a much more effective way of education than merely reading textbooks.
Families with children
Families with children will also find something for themselves. Some festival programmes are adapted for younger audiences and Luhačovice itself offers plenty of activities for children — from nature walks through children’s playgrounds to interesting educational trails in the surrounding area.
Practical tips for visiting the festival
How to dress
The Janáček and Luhačovice Festival is a cultural event, but not strictly formal. For evening concerts indoors, it is appropriate to choose more elegant clothing — gentlemen a jacket and shirt, ladies dresses or an elegant suit. For open concerts in the park or by the colonnade, smart casual is sufficient — comfortable but tidy clothing. In any case, we recommend having a light jacket or jumper to hand, as evenings in the spa park can be cooler.
Where to park
Luhačovice has several car parks near the spa centre. During major events, however, capacity may be limited, so we recommend arriving with time to spare or using car parks on the outskirts of town and walking to the centre — a walk through the spa park is an experience in itself. Some hotels, including Hotel Vincent, offer parking directly at the hotel, which is a great advantage during festival time.
What else to see and experience
Besides the festival and Janáček Trail, Luhačovice and its surroundings offer many other attractions:
- Jurkovič’s buildings — a walk through the architectural gems of Dušan Jurkovič, including Jurkovič House, Chaloupka and other buildings.
- Tasting mineral springs — Vincentka, Aloiska, Ottovka and other springs with healing effects.
- Spa treatments — treat yourself to relaxation at one of Luhačovice’s spa houses.
- Hiking in the surroundings — Luhačovice lies on the border of Wallachia and Slovácko and offers beautiful hiking trails in the surrounding forests and hills.
- Regional gastronomy — taste local specialities, especially Slovácko pastries, plum brandy and Moravian wines.
- Luhačovice Dam — a popular place for walks and relaxation by the water.
Conclusion — Luhačovice as living musical heritage
Luhačovice is not just a spa town with healing springs and beautiful architecture. It is a place where Leoš Janáček found love, inspiration and peace for his work. It is a place where classical music is not merely a memory of the past, but a living tradition that continues thanks to the Janáček and Luhačovice festival and other cultural events.
Whether you are a devoted fan of Janáček’s music or are just discovering the world of classical music in Moravia, visiting Luhačovice during festival time is an experience that will open both your eyes and ears. Walk through the places where Janáček walked. Listen to music in the environment that inspired it. Taste Vincentka and breathe the clean air of the Moravian hills. And when you return home, you will know why Janáček always returned to Luhačovice.
Book your stay at Hotel Vincent and experience the Janáček and Luhačovice festival first-hand. For more information, contact us at ahoj@vincentluhacovice.cz or call +420 720 072 780.