Zemanova kovárna Smithy
Zemanova kovárna in Holešov is a historic master forge from the middle of the 16th century, which today serves as a museum of forging. The building has been protected as a cultural monument since 1988. Thanks to the efforts of local tourists, it managed to preserve authentic 19th century equipment.
The beginnings of the forge fall back to 1550, when it was built under the Rottal family rule. It was created as a renaissance manor at a time when the Czech countries under the rule of the Habsburgs were undergoing social changes in the early modern age. The covárna was standing in close proximity to the castle and has been fulfilling its original purpose for centuries.
The construction has a modest size of 4 times 5 meters and has been adapted for the needs of the blacksmith's craft over the centuries. Inside is a 19th century functional equipment that includes fire, bellows, hand press, drill and a set of tools such as pliers or anvil. A unique element is the entrance to the underground corridor located directly below the fireplace. According to historical sources, this corridor was to connect the forge to the inn in Holajka, the square of Saint Anne and the castle, but after about 15 meters it is now clogged.
The object was originally the property of the supreme. The husband of the last heir to the Rottal family, Ludvík Rudolf Erdödy, sold the forge to the blacksmith Václav Gargulák. In 1847 Jakub Zeman bought it, which started the Zeman family era, after which the construction carried its name. The government of the last holders of Holešova of the Bruntal family from Vrbno contributed to the boom of the trade. The last blacksmith of the family Zeman was Emil Zeman, who worked in the workshop until 1953. After he left, the building was decaying and threatened with demolition. Rescue came in 1968, when the administration was taken over by the tourist department of local body unity and repaired the building. The last blacksmith who did the craft was the local native Pavel Ševeček, known for the production of luxury Damascus steel knives.
Since mid-2012, the building has been operating as the Small Museum of Blacksmiths. Visitors can see not only historical equipment, but also examples of blacksmith products.
Zemanova kovárna presents valuable evidence of the craft tradition and everyday life in Holešov. Visiting this museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the authentic preserved working environment of the past centuries.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1550
- The creation of the master building of the forge in Holešov.
- 1847
- Jakub Zeman buys the forge, starting with the Zeman family era.
- 1988
- The building receives cultural heritage status.
- 2012
- Opening of the Small Museum of Blacksmiths.
Architectural development
The original Renaissance building has been adapted for the needs of the blacksmith's craft over the centuries. The building has a small size of 4 × 5 meters and contains authentic 19th-century equipment such as fire, bellows and hand press. There is a historic entrance to the underground corridor under the fireplace.
Historical events
1550: First written mention of the forge. 1847: Jakub Zeman purchases the forge into private property. 1968: Tourists take over and start rescue work. 2012: Opening of the exhibition of the Small Museum of Blacksmith.
Owners
Rod Rottals, Ludvík Rudolf Erdödy, Václav Gargulák (since the 19th century), Jakub Zeman (since 1847), Tourist Department of Body Unity (from 1968).
Points of interest
- The metal factory was built in the mid-sixteenth century under the Rottalus. Since 1988, the building has been protected as a cultural monument. - The construction has modest dimensions four times five meters. Inside there is functional equipment from the nineteenth century, such as fire, bellows, hand press, drill, pliers and anvil. - The unique element is the entrance to the underground corridor located directly below the fireplace. This corridor was supposed to connect the forge to the inn, the square and the castle, but it was rolled up after 15 meters. The object bears the name of the Zeman family who bought the forge in 1847. The last blacksmith of this family worked in the workshop until 1953. - Since 2012, the object has been operating as a smithy museum. Visitors can see historical equipment and examples of blacksmith products.
Guide
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Welcome to Zeman's Blacksmith's in Holešov! This historical object greets you with its simplicity and authenticity. You're standing in front of a building that has modest dimensions of four times five meters, but its heritage is rich and fascinating.
Zemanova kovárna has roots dating back to the mid-16th century, when it was built under the Rottal family as a master object. Originally it served the needs of the authorities and remained in operation for centuries. Its history is full of changes when Jakub Zeman bought the forge in 1847, starting with the Zeman family era. After many years of effort and protection it was recognised as a cultural monument in 1988.
Look up at the facade of the building that tells the story with its simple shaping. Inside you can see the 19th century functional equipment - fire, bellows, hand press, drill, pliers and anvil. These equipment are important tools for past blacksmiths.
Key personalities associated with this monument include not only the family of Zeman, but also Louis Rudolf Erdödy and Václav Gargulák. The stories of these people enrich the history of the forge and point to its importance for the local community.
The interesting thing is that the forge was saved from demolition by the efforts of local tourists. This act of protection shows a deep passion and respect for the community for its cultural heritage.
Now that you have immersed yourself in the history of Zeman's forge, we invite you to explore this place again. Every corner of this monument has a story and is waiting to be discovered. We hope your visit was full of learning and inspiration. Goodbye and we hope to see you here again!
Tips for visitors
For visiting the forge, it is ideal to choose the morning hours during the working week when the museum has a quieter atmosphere and you can better see the details of the blacksmith's craft. Check the exact connection in the traffic search engine. Take comfortable shoes with you because the floor in the historic areas can be uneven. For photography, I recommend you use natural light through the windows, which will highlight the metal tools and the fire, with the best pictures taken in the main workshop. For families with children, this place is very attractive, as it offers an illustrative example of old crafts, which will attract children more than ordinary castle tours.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
We have not verified whether this monument is accessible. Please ask the owner or operator, or the local municipal office.
Where is the monument?
Location: Holešov, Zlínský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 1000160889).
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Nearby
Zámek Holešov, náměstí sv. Anny, Hostinec na Holajce.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
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Search tours and activities →Themed route
1. St. Anne Square (central area) - Entry point of the trip where you can feel the city's atmosphere. 2. Castle Holešov (historical building) - An impressive building with a rich history that dominates the surroundings. 3. Zemanova kovárna (museum) - Main stop focused on traditional blacksmith craft and old machines. 4. The inn to the Holayan (catering facilities) - A place for relaxation and refreshments at the end of the trip.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: During the spring season, Zemanova kovárna in Holešov boasts sweet lighting that shines through trees beginning to bloom. Nature around the monument is full of life with newly growing leaves and flowers, which adds a mild and refreshing sense of renewal to the atmosphere. For visiting this time we recommend clothes suitable for mild temperatures because it can be cold morning and evening, but the middle of the day is usually warmer. The best way to visit the memory in the early afternoon, when the crowd shrinks and you can enjoy a quiet walk.
Summer: Summer brings the Zeman Blacksmith a hot atmosphere with long daylight lighting time, allowing visitors to explore the museum and surrounding environment in full light today. Nature is at the peak of its beauty at this time, with rich tree vegetables providing natural shading. Summer is also the most visited season, which means that larger crowds of tourists may appear. It is recommended that clothes suitable for warm weather and visit in the early afternoon or evening to avoid peak hot times.
Autumn: In autumn, Zemanova kovárna offers a unique atmosphere full of colorful pallets of falling leaves, creating a romantic and peaceful space. The sun turns into a lighter light, which shines through different coloured tree tops, with temperatures usually pleasant. It is advisable to choose clothes for colder weather and rain. The best time to visit the memory in the early afternoon, when the temperature is most pleasant and the crowd is shrinking.
Winter: Winter visit to Zeman's forge offers a completely different view with snow covered landscape, which adds room and peace. Today's lighting is shorter, creating unique light effects on snowy trees and buildings. The temperatures are usually cold, so we recommend warm clothes and possibly protective accessories for snow conditions. The museum can be less visited at this time, which allows for a quieter experience. The best way to visit a monument at the end of the day is when the lighting is the most beautiful and the crowd is practically not appearing.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
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Sources and literature
Photos: Palickap / CC BY-SA 3.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
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