Castles and Chateaux Exploring Castles and Chateaux Castles
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EXPLORING CASTLES AND CHATEAUX EXPLORING CASTLES AND CHATEAUX CASTLES These majestic medieval seats of the nobility draw in thousands of visitors every year, who can thus experience the atmosphere 8 Międzylesie Castle 9 Potštejn Castle of eras long-gone. You’ll come across truly unique sites of architectural and historical importance in the Czech and Polish This small, originally Gothic castle was gradually This formerly majestic castle was conquered only borderlands. Impregnable castles surrounded by legends have inspired writers, poets, and music composers for many centuries. transformed into a Baroque palace. Today, both once – by Charles IV himself, who later became day and night tours of the chateau’s interiors are Czech King and Roman Emperor. Allow yourselves to be inspired too, and set out on a journey to uncover their secrets. available to the public. The castle plays host to a multitude of cultural events and costumed tours Did you know that…? These castle 1 Hukvaldy Castle 2 Štramberk Castle all year round. ruins are known for their legend about a treasure, which later inspired the famous Czech writer The origins of this castle extend all the way back to the Ruins of a castle, whose origins are still unknown Alois Jirásek to write his novel ‘Treasure’. early 13th century. Its best preserved part is St Andrew’s today, stand above the town of Štramberk. Chapel, used today as a venue for all kinds of concerts www.zamekmiedzylesie.pl and performances. Did you know that…? Hukvaldy is the 10 Kunětice Mountain Castle, birthplace of composer Leoš Janáček, in whose Staré Hradiště honour an annual music festival is held at the castle grounds. When the Pernštejns took possession of this Gothic castle in the 15th century, major construction work to rebuild the castle in the Renaissance style began. However, Kunětice www.hradhukvaldy.eu Mountain Castle was severely damaged in the centuries that followed. The early 20th century saw the start www.hrad-potstejn.cz 3 Helfštýn Castle, Týn nad Bečvou of attempts to salvage the castle by the design of the architect Dušan Jurkovič. This major restoration of the The construction of one of the largest medieval castles castle, which will result in new spaces and exhibitions commenced at the beginning of the 14th century. www.stramberska-truba.info available to visitors, should be completed by 2021. When Cardinal Franz von Dietrichstein took possession TIP! Trosky Castle, Rovensko of the castle in the 17th century, he began demolition Did you know that…? In the 1970s, Kunětice The Gothic castle ruins, belonging to a castle works, and Helfštýn lost its former character of a manor 4 Šternberk Castle Mountain Castle was used as a film set for the beloved from the late 14th century, are reminiscent house. In its present form, the castle is a massive fortress This Gothic castle was founded in the 13th century. It was Czech television series Arabela. of devil’s horns sticking out of the ground, with six gates, a number of towers, and a system then expanded in the Late Gothic style, and completed and have become one of the symbols of ramparts dating back to the 18th century. in the Renaissance style in the 16th century. The castle’s www.hrad-kunetickahora.cz of Bohemian Paradise. They are also called the last owners were the Liechtensteins, who rebuilt Gate to Hell. Trosky is made up of two towers Did you know that…? One of the named Panna (Maiden) and Baba (Hag), it in the style of historicist romanticism. Its interiors 11 Kost Castle, Libošovice biggest gatherings of artistic blacksmiths in Europe surprise visitors with their grandeur, and abundant which is used as a lookout tower. Visitors can Kost is one of the best preserved and most significant both entertain themselves and explore the – Hefaiston – is held here every August. works of art from all around Europe. medieval castles in the Czech Republic. The castle castle by playing a 90-minute escape game is situated some 18 km from the town of Jičín, in the with Čenda the Robot. www.helfstyn.cz Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area. Tours of the castle themed around its owners, the Kinsky Did you know that…? 5 Sovinec Castle noble family, are available. You can also see a medieval torture chamber, or take the ‘From a Fairy Tale to a Fairy The mysterious underground space under Trosky A number of cultural events, as well as fencing, Tale’ tour, which is aimed at children. has been attracting the attention of amateur theatre and music performances are regularly held explorers and adventurers since the 18th century. at this 14th-century castle. Guided tours include www.kost-hrad.cz the castle’s underground, both inner and outer www.hrad-trosky.eu fortification walls, as well as the castle’s interiors. 12 Valdštejn Castle, Turnov Valdštejn, the oldest castle in Bohemian Paradise, is www.hradsovinec.cz www.hrad-sternberk.cz a gateway to the nearby rock city where four hundred 14 Kliczków Castle sandstone rock towers are found. An unguided tour Initially founded as a fortress in the 13th century, the 6 Bouzov Castle 7 Svojanov Castle of the castle includes all exteriors, a visit to the cellars, castle was rebuilt to its current form in the late 19th the Chapel of St John of Nepomuk and a billiards century. A number of architectural styles left their Bouzov is one of the most visited and the The only Czech castle to blend the architectural style hall. If you go on a guided tour, you will also see mark on the chateau and its estates – from Gothic, most charming of Czech castles. Complete of the Middle Ages with that of the 19th century. An a Classicist house and a Romantic palace. through Renaissance, up to Mannerism. The chateau with battlements, oriels, embrasures, and gargoyles, exhibition on life in the castle during the 19th century is surrounded by an English park and deep forests, the present-day Bouzov Castle is a typical romantic is on display in the castle’s palace. You can also explore www.hrad-valdstejn.cz which beckon visitors to go hiking, cycling, estate, which is the product of considerable the dungeon with a torture chamber, a unique or horseback riding. restoration carried out by the Archduke Eugen squires’ house, a collection of clocks, and a restored of Austria between 1895 and 1910. The castle Gothic garden. 13 Czocha Castle, Leśna plays host to a multitude of cultural events This mysterious castle has been in existence since and costumed tours all year round. the mid-13th century. It was renovated into its current look at the beginning of the 20th century. Did you know that…? The castle is popular with film-makers, and was used as a filming Did you know that…? Forty secret location for the Italian fairy tale Princess Fantaghiro, passages were built in the castle, only a fraction the German war film Napola, and an episode of the of which has been uncovered. american TV series Young Indiana Jones. www.hrad-bouzov.cz www.svojanov.cz www.zamekczocha.com www.kliczkow.com.pl 38 39 EXPLORING CASTLES AND CHATEAUX EXPLORING CASTLES AND CHATEAUX CHATEAUX 15 Grodziec Castle, Zagrodno 16 Chojnik Castle, Jelenia Góra Their interiors and exhibitions will draw you back to the time when the Czech and Polish lands were ruled by the nobility. For a moment, This originally Gothic castle acquired its present-day This castle, which is the highest situated castle you will be absorbed by the romantic nooks and crannies of chateau parks, enjoy their lush greenery, architectural features, ponds form in the 20th century, when it was rebuilt in the in the Krkonoše, has never been conquered. The and lakes, and walk along the paths where the bygone owners of these estates used to stroll. Be sure not to miss taking a tour of the Purist style by Bodo Ebhart. ruins are a popular destination today, and all kinds UNESCO chateau in Litomyšl. The list of the best sights also includes Baroque gems designed by the famous Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel, of knight tournaments and medieval fairs are held or chateaux popularized by Czech and Polish fairy tales and films. here throughout the year. Did you know that…? Films of Ger- man, Belgian and Russian productions are often www.chojnik.pl shot here, such as the historical film ‘Taras Bulba’. 1 Kunín Chateau 3 Plumlov Chateau Visitors can explore the chateau’s interiors in this Construction of this early Mannerist chateau 17 Bolków Castle precious Baroque building, including its bedrooms, on the site of a 13th-century castle was begun by a picture gallery, dining room, dance room and loft. Johann Adam of Liechtenstein in 1680. However, These majestic castle ruins are located at the only one wing out of the four grandiose wings that crossroads of historic trade routes going from had been planned was ever built. The frontage Poland’s Wrocław to Bohemia. in particular and its row of mighty columns are especially impressive. The chateau is home to annual music and theatre festivals and workshops. Did you know that…? One of the bi- ggest Gothic rock festivals in Europe – Castle Par- ty – is held here every year. www.grodziec.net www.zamek-bolkow.info.pl zamek.kunin.cz 18 Książ Castle, Wałbrzych 19 Grodno Castle, Zagórze Śląskie Książ Chateau is the largest chateau in Lower Silesia Initially founded as a medieval fortress, Grodno 2 Tovačov Chateau and the third largest chateau in Poland. This is a Castle was later rebuilt into a Renaissance residence. Legend has it that the chateau and its distinctive monumental edifice, which is rumoured to have During the tour, you can see examples of medieval tower were built in the 2nd half of the 11th century as been selected as Hitler’s main residence during the walls, as well as refurbished princely chambers.