The town of Bystřice pod Hostýnem is situated at the foot of the Hostýn hills, in the elevation of 308 meter above the see level. Presently there has been living 8 757 people in the town. The oldest written mention comes from the year 1368. The title “town” gained Bystřice nearly 500 years later, in 1864. There happened several disasters throughout the history of the town, such as fires and floods that destroyed nearly whole the town for many times. The most prosperity came to the town after the year 1861. At that time, Michael Thonet established here his extraordinary factory for bentwood furniture. Even though the firm has several times changed its owner and also its name in the past, until these days it has kept the tradition of the bentwood furniture manufacturing. The firm TON, Inc. as the follower of Thonet factory together with woodworking company JMDZ have the key influence over the employment in the town. Except the woodworking factories you can find here also textile, engineering and foodstuff industry.
Probably the most attractive place in the surroundings is the pilgrim church of the Assumption of Maid Maria on the top of the Hostýn hill. Right in the town you can find the Loudon castle that has been stepwise made accessible to the public, St. Giles church on the Masaryk Square, St. Lawrence chapel on the former cemetery, or former Thonet villa called Manor house. Interesting is also the cemetery with a Loudon chapel.
Accept please our invitation also to the beautiful nature here. Hilly country with many tourist-marked routes draws on the lovers of nature as well as mushroom picker. In winter you can find here ski slopes and ski tracks and in summer also cycle tracks. Among other sport possibilities belong swimming pool, tennis courts and mini-golf playground.