Panorama lookout tower in Kabátice near Chlebovice

The Panorama lookout tower is located about 1 km south of the village Chlebovice and about 5 km east of Frýdek-Místek. It is an iron lookout tower with a stone base and a wooden observation deck.

The lookout tower is built at an altitude of 460 meters and is 22.1 meters high. If you climb 93 steps, you will find yourself on a viewing platform jutting 17.7 meters above the ground. From here you will have a view of the Olešná reservoir and further east and the town of Frýdek-Místek with the Beskydy Mountains in its vicinity. Unfortunately, the southern and western directions are blocked by trees.

In earlier years, you did not reach the lookout tower on any marked path. The easiest option was to follow the yellow tourist sign from Chlebovice and turn up the path along the ski slope along the lift to the lookout tower. A slightly more complicated path leads about 1 km further into the forest, from where you can turn right further through the forest to the lookout tower. Cyclists can also ride on this road.

In 2012, the Beskydy Information Center set up a new signage and installed information boards with all the necessary information. The lookout tower is now freely accessible.

The construction of the lookout tower was initiated by the Civic Association Bezručův kraj, which has been planning this project since 1996. The land for the construction, which finally took place in 2000, was provided by Václav Halát, chairman of this association.

The construction was mainly invested by the city of Frýdek-Místek, and another subsidy was provided by the Ministry of Regional Development. The total construction cost was about 2.2 million. Construction began in 2000 and was completed in June 2001. The grand opening took place on July 29, 2001.

The skeleton of the tower consists of a steel structure 22.1 m high and weighing 14,500 kg. The tower has two viewing platforms. The first is located at a height of 15 m and access to it is unlimited. The upper, wooden platform is located at a height of 17.7 m. In the base of the tower there is a room with a source of electricity.

Near the lookout tower is a monument to the local poet František Lazecký.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová