Castles and châteaux

Published by Central Bohemia Region, 2008 www.centralbohemia.cz Information Centre of Central Bohemia Region Husova 19, 110 00 Praha 1 phone: +420 222 222 398, info@centralbohemia.cz

Castles and châteaux

A region you just can’t miss!

This project is co-financed by the European Union and Central Bohemia Region.

Europe Czech Republic Central Bohemia Region Prague

www.centralbohemia.cz

Křivoklát – a popular retreat of Czech rulers The depths of the Křivoklát forests hide away the ancient royal castle with robust towers and an extensive fortification, founded in the mid-13th century as a foot-hold of the ruling Přemyslid dynasty.

The castle gained favour by many Czech rulers, who transformed it into a grandiose state residence. Until today, the splendour of the lateGothic halls and castle chapel with its late 15th century winged altar cause amazement. The castle was also used as a state prison and “housed” many distinctive prisoners. The English alchemist Edward Kelley, serving Emperor Rudolf II, was incarcerated involuntarily here, killing an imperial official in a duel. The castle gained its current appearance in the second half of the 19th century.

www.krivoklat.cz

Karlštejn – the Emperor’s treasury

For over 600 years the majestic Karlštejn castle, the most famous in the country, has been towering over the rocky promontory above the Berounka River; its past glory revived every year during the Karlštejn wine celebrations.

Emperor Charles IV had the castle built on a carefully selected location as a mighty robust fortress for the deposition and safekeeping of the imperial coronation jewels, royal treasures, and holy relics as well as a place for his undisturbed stay, sacred prayer, and contemplation. The treasures were deposited in the Chapel of the Holy Rood in one of Europe’s most prized preserved Gothic interiors, of which the gilded walls are inlaid with polished semi-precious stones and the gilded vault is plated with lenses of glass that create the impression of a starry sky. It bears 129 paintings of saints by Master Theodorik, a top representative of European paintwork at the time.

The castle’s Romanesque appearance today dates from the late 19th century.

www.hradkarlstejn.cz

Konopiště – a magnificent trophy for the future Emperor

One of the most fortified castles of the Czech kingdom, engulfed by seven protective cylindrical towers, was erected at the end of the 13th century, based on models of French “castels”.

Konopiště castle’s current appearance was instilled by the successor to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke František Ferdinand d´Este, in the late 19th century. He had it restored into a luxurious, and at its time most modern technically fitted seat of the future Emperor, surrounding himself with valuable collections of weapons, hunting trophies, sculptures, paintings and other art objects of

incredible scope. He had the castle’s surrounding landscape transformed into a panoramic English park with a game reserve, in which he hosted grandiose hunts. In the end, the passionate hunter became the target of a Serbian assassin and his death in Sarajevo in 1914 was used as an excuse for the outbreak of World War I.

www.zamek-konopiste.cz

Český Šternberk – a golden star above the river Just like in an old painting, the stately Český Šternberk castle rises above the Sázava river bend; the castle has virtually been the permanent family seat of the aristocratic Sternberg nobility, the rulers represented with a golden eightpointed star.

The impressive medieval appearance of the castle, founded in 1241 with an ingenious defence system, was partially hidden by Baroque and Classicist adaptations in the 17th–19th centuries, aimed at ensuring comfortable residency on the castle grounds. The rich interior decoration stands out in splendour and luxury, as selected chambers gradually adopt a Baroque, Rococo, Imperial, and Biedermeier atmosphere. The unique collection of period graphic prints, thematically oriented in the history of the Thirty Years’ War, is one of the most significant in Europe.

www.hradceskysternberk.cz

Kutná Hora’s Vlašský Dvůr – a monument of royal power Thanks to the Kutná Hora silver mines, King Wenceslas II became one of the richest rulers in Europe and the famed Prague “pennies” from his local mint belonged to the most valued of European currencies.

The unique building complex, encompassing all developing Gothic phases, was once a significant economic and political centre of the Czech state.

At the start of the 15th century, it became a popular retreat of King Wenceslas IV, who had luxurious representative and residential chambers built here, with a tower and chapel in which he had the royal

treasures stored. The royal palace witnessed several diplomatic meetings and decisions.

Wenceslas IV also issued the Kutná Hora Decree here in 1409, limiting the influence of foreigners at the University of Prague. Today’s neo-Gothic appearance of Vlašský Dvůr dates from its 19th century restoration.

www.kutnahora.cz

Kokořín – an inspiration for romantic artists

The castle’s pensive silhouette and its circular tower, guarding the romantic landscape of sandstone rocks, deep canyons, and ravines hidden in vast forests, became a much-favoured place and an inspiration for Czech patriots and romantic artists in the 19th century.

The castle, founded in the first half of the 14th century, served defence purposes for almost two centuries, after which it then deteriorated. It finally enjoyed vast restoration at the start of the 20th century, when it acquired its current Romanesque appearance. The spaces open to visitors boast

the beautiful Coat of Arms Hall as well as period collections and exhibits devoted to the history and cultural significance of the Kokořín region.

www.hrad-kokorin.cz

Točník and Žebrák – a place of royal stopovers The deep forests of the Křivoklát region are dominated by the ruins of two closely neighbouring medieval castles.

The older Žebrák castle devolved to the royal crown in the 14th century and became a place of frequent stopovers of Emperor Charles IV during his trips to the kingdom of Germany. His successor and passionate hunter, Wenceslas IV, acquired a great liking to the castle and spent much time here with his large hunt. After an extensive fire, he had the more comfortable and impressive Točník castle built on a neighbouring hill. Attesting to the castle’s beauty, is the heraldic richly decorated relief on the entrance gate portal carrying the coats of arms of all countries that the king ruled over, including his favourite symbol – the kingfisher.

www.tocnik.com

Mníšek pod Brdy – a château with three towers A strong medieval fortress once stood on the site of today’s château, guarding the safety of numerous trade caravans on a significant trade route from Bohemia to Bavaria.

After the Thirty Years’ War, the Prague burgher Servác Engel of Engelfluss acquired ownership of the fortress. The former tanner from Belgium gained great fortune by supplying the Emperor’s Army during the war. He gained aristocratic status for his merit and had a monumental château built to represent him. But why did his seat have only three corner towers instead of the usual four? Locals will give you the most varied tales, all of which are “guaranteed” to be true. The château houses an exhibition that presents aristocratic life between the two World Wars.

www.zamek-mnisek.cz

Loučeň – a place of vibrant social life

The newly opened château exhibition that presents the private and representative chambers of Alexander Jan Vincenc Thurn-Taxis and his wife gives us an insight into aristocratic habitation at the start of the 20th century.

At the start of the 18th century, the former mansion underwent Baroque restoration work.

The aristocratic Thurn-Taxis nobility acquired the château at the start of the 19th century; the new owners had a vast landscape park built here.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the château

became a place of vibrant social life. It was visited by renowned cultural personalities of the time and one of the first football teams of the Czech lands was born here. Since 2007, a “labyrintharium” has been open to visitors in the château park presenting a unique collection of labyrinths and mazes, unparalleled in Europe.

www.zamekloucen.cz

Kačina – an imperial gem

The monumental imperial château is viewed as Bohemia’s prime example of architecture from the first half of the 19th century. It was built as the representative seat of the supreme royal official, Count Jan Rudolf Chotek.

The Choteks lived a rich cultural life, attested by the former interior of the local château theatre, including some set pieces and the unique family library, which contained some 40,000 volumes and belongs to the most valued château libraries in Bohemia. The château is surrounded by a vast natural landscape park. Besides the installed period interiors, the château also houses an exhibition of the Czech Countryside Museum.

www.kacina.cz

Žleby – the romantic illusion of a medieval castle

Jemniště – a magnificent example of Czech Baroque

The originally Gothic castle, later restored in Renaissance and Gothic style, was renovated into today’s appearance in the spirit of romantic historicism – unusual in Bohemia but impressive.

The spacious courtyard of the charming Baroque château rises out of the shadows of the majestic linden tree alley. It was built in the first half of the 18th century, based on the design of the renowned Czech architect František Maximilián Kaňka.

The initiator of the reconstruction was its owner Prince Vincenc Karel of Auersperg, a horse-breeding enthusiast and supporter of its expansion in Bohemia.

The authentic Romanesque interiors are fitted with rich collections of valuable historical furniture; the most attractive exhibit being the coronation sword of Habsburg Emperor Francis I. In the mid-19th century a beautiful château park with an adjacent game-preserve that is home to a herd of white deer was built here.

www.zamek-zleby.cz

Other Baroque artists of European format helped fashion the château – Václav Vavřinec Reiner, the author of the wall paintings and the altar paintings in the château’s chapel, and Matthias Bernard Braun, who decorated the ceiling and the walls of the wide Dancing Hall with splendid stucco reliefs.

Visitors can enter château interiors with period furniture and the Chapel of St. Joseph.

www.jemniste.cz

Dobříš – a Rococo pearl

The spectacular Rococo château with its vast French garden and English park hides away the impressive interiors of the representative halls and guest rooms with valuable art collections from the periods of Rococo and Classicism.

The authors of the château’s restoration in the 18th century were inspired by the styles of the period of French King Louis XVI. Of the Rococo interiors, the Mirror Hall and its frescoes attracts most attention. The French Garden is a rare example of Rococo garden architecture and, with its flowery ornaments and cut hedges, evokes the atmosphere of Vienna‘s Schönbrunn château.

www.zamekdobris.cz

Mnichovo Hradiště – property of the victor of the Battle of the White Mountain The Renaissance château was built by Václav Budovec of Budov, one of the leaders of the Bohemian uprising against the Habsburgs in the 17th century. After his defeat, it came into the hands of the imperial General Albrecht of Wallenstein and remained in the ownership of his successors until the 20th century.

At the turn of the 18th century, the château was adapted in Baroque style with a luxurious interior fitting. Belonging to the complex are the former Capuchin monastery with the Church of the Three Kings and the Chapel of St. Anne, where the remains of Albrecht of Wallenstein are preserved. The château entered European history in 1833 when it hosted a meeting of European rulers – the Austrian Emperor, Russian Tsar, and Prussian Prince, at which they agreed to take joint steps against the revolution in France. The prized Wallenstein Library was moved here in 1921 from Duchcov Château, where it was administered by the famed Italian adventurer and writer Casanova.

www.mnichovo-hradiste.cz

Březnice – a secret marriage

In 1557, the Renaissance château became the site of a secret morganatic marriage of the successor to the Habsburg throne, Archduke Ferdinand of Tyrol, with the beautiful low-ranked Philippine Welser.

Of the originally Gothic stronghold protected by a water moat, almost the entire masonry as well as the two-storey palace with its Gothic vaulted hall are preserved. The Renaissance restoration gave the seat a spectacular character, and one of the oldest libraries in the Czech lands was established at the time. Embellishing the château interiors are family galleries of the aristocratic dynasties that owned the château, the African Lounge, Renaissance Dining Room, Baroque, Rococo, and Imperial halls and an armoury with weapons dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. www.zamek-breznice.cz

Brandýs nad Labem – a countryside residence of the Habsburg rulers The much-favoured countryside retreat of the Habsburg rulers with a hunting-ground near Prague was renovated under the rule of Rudolph II from the originally late-Gothic castle into a spectacular Renaissance château.

The château boasts an outstanding sgraffito decoration. The boss and rustic work as well as the beautiful flower motifs and the secular, religious, and hunting scenes based on Dutch period engravings all date from the late 16th century. The château, lying on a strategic Elbe cross-over, was badly damaged during the Thirty Years’ War. Its renovation was started in the first half of the 18th century.

www.brandysko.cz

Nelahozeves – a château penetrated with visual art and music The stately building in North-Italian style gives a somewhat alienated impression in the Czech countryside, built on a rock on the Vltava river bank in Nelahozeves.

The magnificent Renaissance château, its facades decorated with rich sgraffito, was built in the second half of the 16th century. It came into the hands of the renowned aristocratic Lobkowicz family in the period after the Battle of the White Mountain, and has been in their possession on-

and-off until today. The château’s interior houses a significant part of the dynasty’s valuable collections, including the gallery of Spanish portrait paintings and other paintings from Rubens, Breughel, Cranach, and Velásquez. The music festival Dvořák’s Nelahozeves is held in the château from spring to autumn, celebrating the famous local native.

www.zamek-nelahozeves.cz

Vrchotovy Janovice – in the style of romantic Gothicism Originally a medieval water fortress, it was built in the 13th century, gradually renovated into a Renaissance and Baroque château, and re-adapted the Gothic style in the mid-19th century.

Before World War II, its owner Sidonie Nádherná was mainly known as a benefactress of the arts and a significant representative of Czech cultural life.

She played host to a number of notable guests at the château, including German poet Rainer Maria Rilke. During the Nazi occupation, the château was confiscated by the German Army, which gradually turned it into a “training” camp for refugees confined to forced labour in Germany and later for people with Jewish relatives.

www.nm.cz

Hořovice – a neglected beauty

In the gradual Brdy hills, covered with a continuous belt of forests, nestles the little town of Hořovice, which acquired the name “Czech Bethlehem” for its picturesque scenery. The monumental earlyBaroque 17th century château dominates the town.

The château prides itself for its remarkable Sun Gate, an excellent example of smithery out of the workshop of the renowned Baroque sculptor and wood-carver Matthias Bernard Braun. The château also houses a unique collection of musical boxes and cast iron artworks.

www.zamek-horovice.cz

Průhonice – the kingdom of rhododendrons

Behind the cement walls of the Prague district of Jižní Město the picturesque Průhonice château rises out of the lowland, surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape park.

Originally a medieval stronghold with the Romanesque Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, it was restored into a Renaissance and Baroque château. Its current appearance in Czech neoRenaissance style is a result of its last renovation in the late 19th century, commissioned by its then owner Count Ernst Emanuel Sylva-Taroucca.

A devoted lover of nature with an interest in botany, he founded the famed park, sought by tourists mostly in the months of spring, when hundreds of blossoming rhododendrons haze with colour.

www.parkpruhonice.cz

Europe Czech Republic Central Bohemia Region Prague

www.centralbohemia.cz

Published by Central Bohemia Region, 2008 www.centralbohemia.cz Information Centre of Central Bohemia Region Husova 19, 110 00 Praha 1 phone: +420 222 222 398, info@centralbohemia.cz

Castles and châteaux

A region you just can’t miss!

This project is co-financed by the European Union and Central Bohemia Region.