The monumental complex of the castle and chateau of Český Krumlov is situated on an elongated high rocky promontory, which is surrounded by the Vltava River from the south and the Polečnice stream on the north side. The castle and chateau proudly rise above the small Renaissance and Baroque burgher architecture of the adjacent town. The town with the majestic Church of St. Vitus together with the castle and chateau complex form a unique landmark of the entire surroundings. As a precious pearl, the town of Český Krumlov is located in a basin surrounded by the massif of the Blanský Forest in the north and the undulating terrain of the Šumava foothills in the south and west. The original Gothic castle was founded sometime before 1250. In the second half of the 16th century, the castle took the form of a monumental and magnificent Renaissance residence. Since 1989, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List.
Děčín Castle
The chateau is located in the very centre of the town of Děčín above the confluence of the Elbe and Ploučnice rivers. It is one of the largest and historically most important buildings of its kind in Bohemia. After several reconstructions, it has reached the form of a Baroque-Classicist chateau.
A wooden fortified settlement has existed in the area of today’s castle since the 10th century. It was rebuilt into a royal castle in the 13th century. From the beginning of the 14th century, the building served as a representative residence for several aristocratic families, of which its fate was most significantly influenced by the lords of Vartenberk, of Bünau and the counts of the Thun-Hohenstein family. In 1932, the Thun family was forced to sell the castle to the Czechoslovak state for economic reasons.
From 1932, the chateau complex gradually served the Czechoslovak, German and Soviet military garrisons. The stays of the armies significantly damaged the building. The departure of the Soviet army in 1991 made it possible to start the restoration of the chateau complex and the effort to make it accessible to the public.
Today, the chateau is owned by the city of Děčín and is an unmissable landmark of this border settlement.
Dětenice Castle
Dětenice Chateau is located near the fairytale town of Jičín. According to legend, the village of Dětenice was built in the 11th century by Prince Oldřich, who was hunting here and found abandoned children here. Out of a good heart, he built a village for them, which he named “Dětenice”. During the Middle Ages, Dětenice Chateau passed through the hands of several owners. In 1873, the chateau was acquired by the Order of the Knights of Malta. In 1903, the Order sold Dětenice Chateau to the Jewish industrialist Adolf Bloch. The son of this industrialist lost the property on the stock exchange. In 1927, the builder Ing. Emanuel Řehák became the owner, who partially opened the Dětenice Chateau to the public. After the advent of the communist regime, Dětenice Castle was nationalized and most of the equipment was stolen. The castle became a girls’ horticultural school and then an educational institution. In 1998, Dětenice Castle was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Ondráček, who restored the castle and made it accessible to the public. Of course, the original equipment of the castle has not been found.
Duchcov Castle
The Duchcov chateau was built in the years 1675 – 1685 by Jan Bedřich of Wallenstein according to the plans of the architect J. B. Mathey on the site of an older Renaissance Lobkowicz residence. In 1707 , the chateau was expanded by two side wings. Modifications to the chateau complex, including the unique Baroque garden, were carried out from 1720, the facades were given their current Classicist appearance in the years 1812 – 1818 and subsequently the extensive nature park was modified . A significant intervention in the chateau complex was the liquidation of the Baroque hospital in 1959 due to open-pit coal mining. The fresco by V. V. Reiner from the original dome of the hospital was transferred to the newly built pavilion in the castle park. Visitors can see the Wallenstein Family Gallery, an exhibition in the so-called billiard wing, three rooms of the castle staff and a museum dedicated to the personality of Giacomo Casanova, who spent the last thirteen years of his life at the castle in Duchcov as a Wallenstein librarian.
Hluboká nad Vltavou Castle
The chateau was originally a castle and has undergone many reconstructions. It entered history in 1290, when Záviš of Falknštejn was executed under its walls for alleged high treason. From 1661, Hluboká was owned by the Schwarzenbergs, who first had the chateau rebuilt in the Baroque style and in the 19th century in a romantic way in the spirit of Windsor Neo-Gothic. From the sightseeing routes, the Representative Route, which is focused on the representative premises of the 1st floor of the chateau, the Schwarzenberg Armoury, which houses an exceptionally high-quality family collection of weapons and armour from the period from the 13th to 19th centuries, and the castle kitchen with a number of preserved kitchen equipment from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Hradec nad Moravicí Castle
In the period from 1778 to 1945, Hradec was held by six generations of the Prussian princely family of the Lichnowski family of Voštice and Werdenberg. The great fire of February 1796 prompted a complete adaptation of the chateau, conceived by the Krnov builder Jan Mihatsch. Despite minor subsequent modifications in the spirit of period historicism, the magnificently equipped residence of the elite aristocratic family of the region has preserved its classicist appearance to this day; In the 1st third of the 19th century, a 60-hectare natural and landscape park of exceptional compositional and dendrological level was established.
Between 1874 and 1891, the builders A. Langer from Wrocław and F. Händel from Weimar led the extension of the so-called Red Castle with a fortification wall and the White Tower. The architecturally extremely attractive complex, inspired by the castles of the German Middle Ages, included, among other things, the necessary stables with a carriage house.
The importance of the Hradec promontory was given mainly by the strategically advantageous terrain, offering a safe haven. That is also why the former Slavic fortified settlement from the 8th century was replaced by the princely castle of the Přemyslids around the middle of the 11th century, rebuilt two centuries later by the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II into an impressive castle protected by thorough fortifications.
From the beginning of the 16th century, Czech rulers pledged the local goods. The last pawn lord was Kašpar Pruskovský of Pruskov, who acquired it as a hereditary property in 1585 and at the same time began the Renaissance reconstruction of the still medieval castle into a comfortably furnished mansion with an ornamental garden and a forest park.
Between 1874 and 1891, the builders A. Langer from Wrocław and F. Händel from Weimar led the extension of the so-called Red Castle with a fortification wall and the White Tower. The architecturally extremely attractive complex, inspired by the castles of the German Middle Ages, included, among other things, the necessary stables with a carriage house.
The importance of the Hradec promontory was given mainly by the strategically advantageous terrain, offering a safe haven. That is also why the former Slavic fortified settlement from the 8th century was replaced by the princely castle of the Přemyslids around the middle of the 11th century, rebuilt two centuries later by the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II into an impressive castle protected by thorough fortifications.
From the beginning of the 16th century, Czech rulers pledged the local goods. The last pawn lord was Kašpar Pruskovský of Pruskov, who acquired it as a hereditary property in 1585 and at the same time began the Renaissance reconstruction of the still medieval castle into a comfortably furnished mansion with an ornamental garden and a forest park.
Troja Castle
Václav Vojtěch, Count of Šternberk, had his summer residence built in 1679. He thus sought to obtain the title of nobility, which he succeeded in. Troja Castle is one of the most important examples of 17th-century castle architecture in Bohemia in general. Count Šternberk invited outstanding European artists to build and decorate it. The building was designed by Giovanni Domenico Orsi, who was soon replaced by Jean Baptiste Mathey, who changed the original concept to a very regular layout with the main hall in the middle. The main hall was connected to the garden by a monumental garden two-flight staircase, to which Jiří and Pavel Hermann of Dresden were invited in 1685 to decorate the sculpture. Around 1705, they were supplemented by Jan Brokof. The staircase is decorated with sculptures of ancient gods and goddesses depicting their fight with the Titans, as described in the ancient Greek Iliad. This is probably where the name Troy comes from, which then spread to the entire area.
The ceiling and walls of the central hall are covered with frescoes with the theme of the Apotheosis of victory over the Turks near Vienna, thus celebrating the Habsburgs. The frescoes were painted by Dutch painters Abraham and Isaac Godin. The adjacent rooms were decorated by the Italian painter Francisco Marchetti and his son Giovanni with frescoes with themes of ancient mythology and a celebration of the castle’s builders. There are a total of 4000 m2 of paintings in the castle, of which 1400 m2 are in the main hall, which is also used for concerts. The castle, sensitively set in the landscape, is surrounded by a large French garden decorated with terracotta vases, stucco prospects and orangeries with busts of emperors.
Berchtold Castle
The first mention of a manor house and a farm in Vidovice is from 1388, when the owner was then an aristocratic (yeoman) family with the epithet “from Vidovice”. In the 17th century, the village of Vidovice with a farmyard belonged to the Velké Popovice estate. From 1808 it belonged to the village of Chlum. In 1877, a separate farm called Vidovice was entered into the land records. When Eleonora , the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brzorád, married Rudolf Kainz. On December 24, 1877, the newlyweds acquired the newly created independent Vidovice Castle by separating it from Chlum. Their property acquired in this way consisted of a representative building, a farm with a brickyard and land. At that time, the seat was already mapped as Vidovice Castle. Important owners of the manor or chateau included well-known personalities such as Václav Stařimský, the free lord of Libštejn, Jan Josef Václav Radecký of Radč, the Brzorád family, Eleonora and Rudolf Kainz, the Milners, Dr.prof. Blažek or the aristocratic Berchtold family.
On April 18, 2005, a new era of the Kunice-Vidovice chateau began, which gained new owners. They carried out its complete reconstruction, expansion by adding a wing to the park, expanding the park, building the Na zámečku sports center and making the area accessible to the general public. The area is intended mainly for companies, families, youth and athletes. The family of JUDr. Václav Růžička transformed the entire area into a unique place of well-being for corporate events, sports, culture, entertainment, learning and creating a relationship with nature and people. After years of great effort (since 2005), today’s owners are especially pleased that this place has become a meeting place for interesting people and enjoys great interest from children and athletes.
Grodno Castle
The castle was built on the top of Mount Choina (450 m above sea level). The oldest fate of the castle is unknown. Tradition attributes the construction of the castle to Boleslaw the High in 1198 and its reconstruction at the end of the 13th century to Prince Bolko I. After the annexation of the Principality of Svidnice-Javor to the Czech Crown, the castle became the property of the Czech kings, later it passed into private ownership. From 1545, a systematic extension of the castle was carried out. During the Thirty Years’ War, it was conquered by the Swedes, who destroyed it greatly. Other owners did not take care of the castle and its condition continued to deteriorate. It was finally abandoned in 1774 and continued to deteriorate. In 1869, after a lightning strike, the tower caught fire. After the war, renovation work was carried out at the castle several times.
Grodno Castle is a combination of the Gothic style, which can be found in the upper part of the castle, and the Renaissance style, in which its lower part is added. Visitors are interested in the sundial dating back to 1716. Thanks to the conservation work, which began at the beginning of the 19th century, we can admire the restored castle tower and fortifications of Grodno Castle, where a restaurant with castle food awaits visitors.
Książ Castle
The largest castle in Lower Silesia and the third largest castle in Poland is Książ Castle. It is surpassed only by Krakow’s Wawel Royal Castle and the Crusader Castle in Malbork. It is often referred to as the pearl of Lower Silesia. It is located in the cadastre of the town of Wałbrzych, between the picturesque forests of the Książ Landscape Park and the valley of the Pełcznica River The castle is best viewed from the viewpoint on the so-called Giant Rock, which can be reached by a wide path leading through the castle park.
The first written mention of Książ Castle dates back to 1288. It was one of a number of defensive castles built by the Świdnica-Javor prince Bolko I.
In 1508, Książ fell into the hands of Jan von Haugvitz, who sold it to Konrad Hoberg. Konrad Hoberg belonged to the last Książ family. This family later changed its name to Hochberg.
Książ Castle has been rebuilt many times, which is why it combines so many architectural and artistic styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and eclectic elements.
The most beautiful castle space is the Maximilian Hall.
This hall used to be used for concerts and theatrical performances, but today this interior has served as a stage for several films.
One of the most important and at the same time the most tragic periods in the history of the castle was the time of the Second World War.
These construction activities were probably intended to serve the implementation of the “Riese” project – which means “giant”.
Tourists can see an eighty-meter long secured section of corridors, from which rubble has been removed.
The largest interventions took place in the castle interiors. The Konrad Hall could have become an exhibition for the famous Amber Room.
The castle combines the history of several nations and many people. In addition to the classic architectural attributes of castles and chateaux such as beautiful gates, bastions and towers, hundreds of unrevealed secrets await visitors.
The first written mention of Książ Castle dates back to 1288. It was one of a number of defensive castles built by the Świdnica-Javor prince Bolko I.
In 1508, Książ fell into the hands of Jan von Haugvitz, who sold it to Konrad Hoberg. Konrad Hoberg belonged to the last Książ family. This family later changed its name to Hochberg.
Książ Castle has been rebuilt many times, which is why it combines so many architectural and artistic styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and eclectic elements.
The most beautiful castle space is the Maximilian Hall.
This hall used to be used for concerts and theatrical performances, but today this interior has served as a stage for several films.
One of the most important and at the same time the most tragic periods in the history of the castle was the time of the Second World War.
These construction activities were probably intended to serve the implementation of the “Riese” project – which means “giant”.
Tourists can see an eighty-meter long secured section of corridors, from which rubble has been removed.
The largest interventions took place in the castle interiors. The Konrad Hall could have become an exhibition for the famous Amber Room.
The castle combines the history of several nations and many people. In addition to the classic architectural attributes of castles and chateaux such as beautiful gates, bastions and towers, hundreds of unrevealed secrets await visitors.