| Castle Tours and Events
Ceský Krumlov
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This castle is situated in South Bohemia and is founded
in the 13th century by Vítkovec. |
Ceský Krumlov is the biggest Czech castle of the Middle Ages
that's still intact. In 1302 it became the principal seat of
the family Rozmberk. The castle was several times rebuild and
enlarged, including the adjustments in Renaissance style of
the 16th century. From this time descends the Hall of Masks
which is richly decorated with paintings from the time of commedia
dell' arte. Other curiosities are the Baroque palace theatre,
the old riding school and the Bellary summerhouse.
Hluboká nad Vltavou
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Hluboká which is build in Tudor style, is the most
eye-catching castle in the Czech Republic. The late
Gothic chateau was build in the 13th century by the
Premysl family and in 1661 bought by the family Schwarzenberg.
The typical English style gives the castle a fairy-like
nature, which is surrounded by a vast chateau park.
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Karlstejn
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A Gothic castle that was build by Emperor Charles
IV in the years 1348-1357. The foundation-stone was
laid in the period that Nové Mesto in Prague was founded.
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In the first instance, the chateau was used as a depository
for the imperial crown jewels. In cause of the Hussitic wars
they were moved to the Hungarian city of Visegrád. At the end
of the 16th century the castle was provided with fronts in Renaissance
by the architect U. Aostali. Between 1887 and 1899, B. Schmidt
and J. Mocker gave the castle his original interior back. How
the interior looked like in Charles time, can be seen in the
Imperial Palace. Models are showing how the rooms were fitted
up with wooden wall-lining and ceramic floor-tiles. In the minster
of the Virgin Mary, you can see original fresco's from the 14th
century with scenes of the Apocalypse. A narrow corridor leads
you the Catherine chapel, which is decorated with semi-precious
stones. By the way, the chapel was the private prayer-room of
Charles. The most famous place is the Cross chapel in the Big
Tower, where only the Emperor and his court priest were allowed.
In this room, Charles kept the crown jewels. The glass dome
is adorned with golden stars and on the wall were hanging 127
paintings from Master Theodorik. The portrait collection of
saints, angels and prophets are now renovated. You can see a
few of the panels in the Prague St George's Convent.
Konopiste
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This originally Gothic castle was build according
to the model of the French castle. From the 14th to
the 17th century, the Sternberk family lived here. After
the Battle on the White Mountain, Wallenstein moved
in, and shortly after that followed by Pavel Michna
of Vacínov. At the end of the Thirty Year's War, the
Swedish army brought about big damage to the castle.
When Jan Josef of Vrtba bought the chateau in 1716,
he cared for the restorations in Baroque style. |
Archduke Francis Ferdinand bought Konopiste in 1887. His greatest
hobby was hunting, of which the trophys are decorating the staircase.
In 1914, the Austrian pretender to the throne was murdered with
his Czech lady Sophie Chotek. This heralded the First World
War.
Krivoklát
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This royal hunting lodge was build around 1100 for
the first Premyslidic princes. Charles IV spent there
a part of his youth, but also later on he liked to stay
in the castle. In 1422, Ladies Jagiello moved in and
let there build a vaulted Gothic hall that has many
resemblances with the Vladislav Hall in Prague Castle.
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Also Ludvik Jagiello stayed there, but after that the castle
lost much of it's meaning. The Habsburgs kept there Hussites
locked up and in 1597 and 1643 it burned down. After that
the estate became in possession of the Schwarzenberks, followed
by the Wallensteins and finally the Fürstenbergs. After the
fire of 1826 Josef Mocker and Kamil Hilbert performed an extensive
restoration.
Kunetická Hora
Until the 15th century there isn't any document about the
existence of a castle on a hill near Pardubice. At first during
the Hussitic Wars, Kunetická Hora became an important point
of support. The Pernstejns performed the largest rebuilding
of the castle (1491-1548), whereby representative rooms came
to existence like the Knights' Hall. At the beginning of the
20th century the castle was renovated by D. Jurkovic.
Mikulov
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This originally Gothic castle is dated from the 13th
century and lies on a hill in the town of the same name.
After a first rebuilding in Renaissance style it became
it's present Baroque view in 1719. Mikulov is situated
in Moravia which is especially famous for it's wine.
In the castle there is an exhibition about viniculture
and wine-production. There is also a wine-cellar with
enormous casks. |
Prague Castle
 No any Czech castle is so famous as Prague Castle.
It was first build by the Premysl kings on a hill in the Vltava
valley, which was used by heathenish priests. Between 870
and 1135 the importance of Prague castle was minor. Regularly
the wooden buildings felt a prey to fire. As late as stone
churches and palaces were build, the Czech princes moved to
the fortified Roman fort. The castle knew the biggest prosperity
under Charles IV, who had ambitious plans with the palace
and the St. Vitus' cathedral. In 1383 Charles' son Václav
moved to the palace in the Old Town. Just 100 years later
someone settled down again in the Castle, especially Vladislav
Jagiello. After the Battle of the White Mountain (1620) the
Habsburg emperors ignored their Prague residence. By that
there are only a few marks of Baroque architecture. Under
Maria Theresia signs of Rococo and Classicism were placed.
The Castle was only used to accommodate army garrisons and
foreign monarchs. The National Revival brought and and to
the decay. The St. Vitus' cathedral was completed with a western
wing and the presidents uses Prague Castle as his principal
seat since 1918. When the flag waves above the royal palace
the president is present.
Velké Losiny
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the architecture concerns is Velké Losiny, which is situated
in North Moravia, definitely worth it. This renaissance castle
of the family Zerotín has a magnificent gallery at the inner
court and a Baroque annex. After a period of time the castle
had been able to lodge a large collection of paintings.
Veltrusy
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The Chotek family had this castle build in the 18th
century. The Baroque country seat has the shape of a
cross, with in the middle a dome hall. The interior
consists of baroque stucco and Rococo paintings. the
741 acres wide estate is constructed to the example
of an English deer park. It stretches away to the Vltava
and contains rare species of trees and plants. In the
parks are summer-cottages from the Romantic time. |
Also Visit these sites
- A Czech paper that's completely written in English. Among
other things a cultural agenda. Prague
Post Online
- Do you want a mini-trip through Prague or the best Czech-related
books? Go to Czeching out Prague
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