Jánský vrch (In German: Johannesberg) is a castle in the Jeseník District, which lies in the Olomouc Region in the Czech Republic .
The castle Jánský Vrch stands on a hill above the town of Javorník (Jauernig in German) in the north-western edge of Czech Silesia, a territory historically known as Sudetenland. The castle is first mentioned in written sources in 1307, when it was still the property of the Princes of Svidník. In the 1348, they sold the castle to the Prince-Bishop Preczlaus of Pogarell (1341-1376). Since that time, the castle belonged to the Bishops of Breslau.
During the 15th century, the castle was considerably damaged by the Hussites and therefore a large-scale repairs were needed. The rebuilding of the castle took place under the Bishop Jan IV Roth at the end of the 15th century and was completed in 1509 by his successor – Prince-Bishop of Breslau Johannes V - Johannes Thurzó (1506-1520). At that time, the castle was also renamed as Johannesberg, to honor the patron of the Bishops of Breslau, John the Baptist.
The original fortified castle was later rebuilt in the baroque style under Philipp Gotthard von Schaffgotsch (1716-1795) who made it his primary residence. During this time, Johannesberg castle and the town Javorník also became the cultural center of Upper Silesia. Among the most famous personalities living there was August Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf, renowned Viennese composer and violinist.
Following the death of Prince-Bishop Schaffgotsch, the castle was once again rebuilt as a summer residence by Bishop Joseph Christian Reichsfürst von Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Bartenstein. The castle remained an important centre of cultural life in the region until the beginning of 20. century.
In 1959, the castle Jánský Vrch was loaned to the state and it was taken over by the Czechoslovakian government in 1984, following the property agreement between Polish and Czechoslovakian Catholic archdioceses. It is now under the administration of the National Monument Institute in Olomouc and since January 1, 2002,it is on the list of national cultural monuments.
January to March - Only by permission of the castle administration, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
April and October 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - On weekends and holidays, during the week for groups with reservations.
May to August 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Daily with the exception of Mondays and the day following holiday.
September 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Daily with the exception of Mondays and the day following holiday.
November to December - Only by permission of the castle administration, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
