From May 14 to 15, 2025, the Baroque Děčín Castle will once again transform into the capital of Czech floristry and host the 54th edition of the national floristry competition “Děčínská kotva” – the Championship of Florists of the Czech Republic. This internationally significant event attracts the best florists, horticultural school students, floral hobbyists, and flower enthusiasts from across Europe every year.
DĚČÍN CASTLE – MORE THAN JUST A COMPETITION VENUE
Děčín Castle is not coincidentally the venue for this prestigious competition. Perched on a rocky cliff above the Elbe River, it is a historical gem of Northern Bohemia and symbolizes the gateway to the Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland National Park – one of the most beautiful and wildest regions in Central Europe, known for its sandstone formations, gorges, forest trails, and breathtaking vistas. In this environment, the art of floristry takes on a special dimension – nature and culture merge into a unique unity.
https://www.zamekdecin.cz
JAN MILT'S FLORISTRY SHOW – EXPERIENCE ART LIVE
On May 15 at 2:00 PM, an extraordinary floristry show by Jan Milt – one of the most talented Czech florists of the young generation – will take place in the courtyard of Děčín Castle. The artist will present his personal vision of floral creations, blending masterful technique with a modern approach to nature and design. Milt, who was trained in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany, gained experience in Germany and Switzerland, and his works have been exhibited at prestigious events such as the IPM Essen fair. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to follow the creative process live – from concept to final result – and listen to the author’s commentary on each piece. It is a rare chance to look behind the scenes of top-level floristry and draw inspiration from a recognized expert.
https://www.instagram.com/jan.milt.florist/
https://www.facebook.com/p/janmiltflorist-100063661116334/
CATEGORIES, THEMES AND PARTICIPANTS – 2025
The 54th edition of the “Děčínská kotva” competition featured a total of 59 participants, divided into 4 age and professional categories. Each category had floristry tasks tailored to the participants' skill levels.
Themes of the Competition Entries:
Senior and Junior Categories
- Wedding Wreath
- Bridal head decoration
- Surprise Task
- The topic and materials will be announced to the participants just before the task
- Advent at the Castle
- Advent wreath for Děčín Castle
- Funeral wreath for the Castle Gardener
- Floral memorial wreath made using the pinning technique
Student Category:
- Wedding Table Wreath
- Floral wreath created using the pinning technique
- Bridal Hairband
- Floral jewelry
Hobby Category:
(Online competition)
- Wreath “History, Magic and Symbolism”
PARTICIPANTS 2025:
SENIOR CATEGORY (13 participants)
Professional florists and master florists
- Ing. Vojtěch Čech
- Ing. Zuzana Bukvičková
- Iva Bouzková
- Kamila Zahutová
- Kateřina Šimon
- Kristýna Kühn
- Liana Thai
- Michaela Fialová
- Vlastimil Kucharovič
- Michala Salačová
- Pavol Klinčúch
- Svetlana Borbélyová
- Tomáš Hakl
JUNIOR CATEGORY (17 participants)
Students from horticultural/floristry schools
- Alena Vencová
- Anna Svobodová
- David Drápal
- Ester Bokorovicsová
- Jakub Lebeda
- Jana Šebestová
- Kamila Marková
- Kristýna Pavlištová
- Lucie Zrcková
- Petr Jandourek
- Štěpán Svoboda
- Tereza Dittrichová
- Tereza Stuchlíková
- Tereza Fílová
- Viktorie Vintrová
- Vojtěch Tužina
- Ondřej Janouch
STUDENT CATEGORY (6 participants)
Primary school pupils
- Adéla Štampachová
- Anežka Švecová
- Daniela Bolečková
- Kateřina Volavá
- Lea Zbořilová
- Lucie Opelíková
HOBBY CATEGORY (23 participants)
Amateurs, university students, floristry enthusiasts
- Veronika Šimková
- Aneta Hlaváčová
- Anežka Zerzánová
- Anna Novotná
- Barbora Tunklová
- Eliška Jirečková
- Gabriela Novotná
- Jana Lopatová
- Jana Šiblová
- Jitka Jirků
- Jozef Hrabovský
- Karolína Petrásková
- Kristýna Kühn
- Lucie Vančurová
- Luka Ramančiuckaite
- Markéta Biňovská
- Markéta Heverová
- Markéta Studenková
- Michaela Bačíková
- Simona Rambousková
- Tereza Malá
- Terezie Šarounová
- Veronika Červinková
WINNERS 2024 – A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST EDITION
• Senior - 1st place: Tomáš Hakl – Kvetinárstvo Orchidea, Bratislava (Slovakia)
• Senior - 2nd place: Karolína Žáčková - SŠZaZe A.E. Komerse, Děčín - Libverda
• Senior - 3rd place: Simona Synková, Hroznětín
• Junior - 1st place: Vojtěch Tužina – SOŠ Jarov
• Junior - 2nd place: Radana Hanzelková, Střední zahradnická škola Ostrava p.o.
• Junior - 3rd place: Tereza Dittrichová, SŠZaZe A. E. Komerse, Děčín - Libverda
• Student - 1st place: Nela Baronová – ZŠ Nový Jičín
• Student - 2nd place: Hana Marušková, ZŠ a MŠ Křemže
• Student - 3rd place: Adéla Štampachová, ZŠ Janovice nad Úhlavou
EVENT PROGRAMME 2025
May 14 (Wednesday):
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Competition in all categories
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Castle and garden tours
May 15 (Thursday):
- 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM– Competition continues
- 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Floristry show by Master Ing. Jan Milt
- 7:00 PM – Festive gala and award ceremony
May 16–18 (Friday–Sunday):
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Public exhibition of all competition works
INVITATION FROM THE ORGANISERS
The organisers cordially invite you:
- Secondary School of Horticulture and Agriculture A. E. Komerse, Děčín – Libverda
- City of Děčín
- Děčín Castle
- Czech Flower Society and Association of Florists and Flower Sellers of the Czech Republic
Thanks to their commitment, the event has maintained its high standard and unique atmosphere for many years.
TICKETS AND INFORMATION
- Exhibition entry: 150 CZK / discounted 100 CZK
- Workshops and master show: free admission
- More info: www.decinska-kotva.cz
- Facebook: Děčínská kotva – official profile
HOW TO GET TO "DĚČÍNSKÁ KOTVA 2025"?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nM7Q6ZV3AfHJsuxT7
1. FROM DRESDEN (Germany)
Distance: approx. 50 km
Travel time: approx. 1 hour
• By train:
◦ Direct connections from Dresden Main Station to Děčín (DB Regio, U28 Elbe-Labe).
◦ Travel time: approx. 50 minutes.
◦ Tickets available at machines, in the DB app, or from the conductor.
• By car:
◦ Via A17 towards Pirna – border crossing Bahratal – then E442 and road no. 62 to Děčín.
◦ Parking available near the castle (Zámecké náměstí).
2. FROM WROCŁAW (Poland)
Distance: approx. 190 km
Travel time: 3–4 hours
• By car:
◦ Route: Wrocław → Zgorzelec → Dresden → Pirna → Děčín (approx. 3.5 hrs).
◦ Alternatively via Lubawka/Trutnov and Teplice.
◦ Note: Some mountain roads – check weather conditions!
• By train (with transfers):
◦ Wrocław → Dresden (via Görlitz or Berlin)
◦ Dresden → Děčín (see point 1)
◦ Travel time: approx. 4 hours, depending on connection.
◦ Book tickets in advance (PKP + DB).
3. FROM PRAGUE (Czech Republic)
Distance: approx. 120 km
Travel time: 1.5–2 hours
• By train:
◦ Direct trains from Prague (Praha hlavní nádraží) to Děčín every hour.
◦ Operators: České dráhy (ČD), RegioJet, Leo Express.
◦ Travel time: approx. 1 hr 45 min.
◦ Final station: Děčín hlavní nádraží (5 min walk to the castle).
• By car:
◦ Via D8 highway towards Ústí nad Labem → exit Děčín – road 62.
◦ Fast and comfortable route (approx. 1.5 hrs).
◦ Parking near the castle or city center.
VISITOR TIPS:
• Děčín Castle is well signposted and easily accessible on foot from the center and the train station.
• Florists' Championship: May 14–15, 2025, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Exhibition of works: May 16–18, 2025, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• Combine your visit with a trip to Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland, e.g., Pravčická Gate, Bastei, Hřensko.
https://www.saechsisch-boehmische-schweiz.de/
Article Author:
Anna Janas
Photo gallery from the Czech Republic Floristry Championship “Děčínská kotva 2024”.
All photos in the article were provided by the Czech Florists’ Association (Svaz květinářů a floristů České republiky).
Hauptfoto der Schloss Děčín, bereitgestellt von der Website der Schloss Děčín. https://www.zamekdecin.cz
