ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA	CZECH REPUBLIC
Moravskoslezský kraj	North Moravia and Silesia (Ostrava) region
Okres: Nový Jičín

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Štramberk is situated at an elevation of 415 m on a plateau in the foothills of the Moravian Beskids in the Nový Jičín district of the North Moravian and Silesia region. The town has a population of about 3,400.

Štramberk (in German Strahlenberg, also Stramberg) was first mentioned in 1211. In 1359 it received the privileges of a town from Johann Heinrich of Luxembourg, Margrave of Moravia and son of John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia. On 8 May (Ascension Day), 1241, the Christian inhabitants of the town defeated an army of Mongolian invaders. According to a popular legend, sacks of ears, which the Huns had cut off from the heads of their victims, were found after the invaders had been defeated. Since that time, a popular gingerbread desert, the "Štramberk Ears" (Štramské uši), are produced here; since 2007 they are also recognized as a regional specialty within the EU. Because of its many historical buildings and a unique collection of timbered houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, the town has been declared a municipal reserve. A popular sobriquet of the beautiful town is "Moravian Bethlehem".

The ruins of Štramberk castle [background, top] are located on a hill overlooking the town. The origins of the castle are unknown, but presumably it was built after 1200. In the 13th century, the castle was owned by the knights of the Templar Order. After the abolition of the order in 1312, the castle came under the administration of the Bohemian Crown. After 1380, the most important owners of the castle (until 1433) were the lords of Kravaře (Kravaře ve Slezku, Deutsch Krawarn). After 1533, the castle started to deteriorate. In 1783, the outer part of the castle collapsed and the masonry was used for building purposes. Between 1901 and 1903, its cylindrical tower (40 m high, 10 m in diameter) was covered with a roof and changed into a lookout. The outer ramparts were partly repaired and completed with two gates. Since 1994, the tower and ruins are in possession of the town. The tower is known under the popular name 'Trúba', a local expression for round timber. [Text adapted from http://www.pragueholiday.cz/free-time/strongholds/stramberk.php]

The parish church [right] was originally built in the 14th century in Gothic style. The present church dates from 1722/1723 and is dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk.