Romantic retreats, tall
fortifications, dark towers and beautiful parks. When visiting
the castles and chateaux of Central Moravia, tourists really
do feel as though they are in a fairy tale. This is of course
not merely due to the several centuries-old décor in the chateaux
rooms and the valuable collections of porcelain and all the
hunting trophies. The castles and chateaux also offer a number
of unique programmes, inspired by the histories and legends
surrounding them. To meet a nobleman or lady, or to see antique
carriages and antique fire-fighting equipment would not be
out of the ordinary.
This romantic castle, situated in the centre of forests, attracts
foreign and Czech tourists alike.
It
is the most visited monument in Central Moravia and one of
the most popular castles in the Czech Republic. It has been
used as the setting for dozens of films, especially fairy
tales. Bouzov used to belong to the Order of Teutonic knights
and visitors have the unique chance to experience the minutest
details of castle life via several types of tours. They can
take a peek into the private apartments of one of the Habsburgs
or into the dressing room of the castle musicians, learn about
the life of a castle warden or take a look at the secret passageways,
cellars and attic. The pearl of the castle is its Neo-Gothic
chapel with a gothic altar.
tel.: +420 585 346 202
http://www.hrad-bouzov.cz
| Čechy
pod Kosířem - Chateau |
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Originally,
a fort stood on the site of the chateau in Čechy pod Kosířem,
which was rebuilt into a chateau from 1839–1846. The greatest
role in the chateau’s and town’s history was played by the
Silva-Taroucci family. Under their patronage, a quite unique,
21-hectare park with rare woods from all over the world and
many small statuary details was established in the near vicinity
of the chateau. A frequent guest of the Silva-Tarouccis at
Čechy pod Kosířem was the famous painter Josef Mánes, whose
paintings are on display in the Mánes Hall, which has its
original three centuries-old parquet floor.
tel.: +420 582 373 724
http://www.cechypk.cz
| Helfštýn
- Castle |
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Helfštýn Castle was founded in the 13th century on a ridge
above the Bečva River valley, to protect the main road to
Silesia. It supposedly carries the name of the predatory knight
Helfried (Friduš) of Linava, who founded it. It was intentionally
demolished in the 17th century. Today tourists can view its
extensive system of fortifications, with six gates, many towers,
buildings, walls and a series of ramparts. Aside from a traditional
exposition, in the cellars one can view an interesting exhibit
of its historical mint and artistic blacksmith work. Artistic
blacksmiths from all over the world gather at Helfštýn at
the end of August for the international Hefaiston festival.
tel.: +420 581 797 093
http://www.helfstyn.cz
| Hranice
- Chateau |
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The history of the Hranice chateau begins with the building
of a stronghold, first mentioned in 1398. The stronghold was
first improved as a stone castle, which was rebuilt and extended
by the Pernsteins. The Pernsteins also built the main tower,
from which remain Late Gothic elements to this day. Another
of its owners, Jan Kropáč of Nevědomí, rebuilt the castle
into a two-winged Renaissance chateau, and its following owner,
Zdeněk Žampach of Potstein, reconstructed the chateau in its
present form. The chateau underwent extensive reconstruction
in the years 1996–1998 and is today one of the most beautiful
Late Renaissance buildings in Moravia.
tel.: +420 581 607 479
http://www.mesto-hranice.cz
http://www.mic.hranet.cz
| Chropyně
- Chateau |
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The interior of the chateau in Chropyně serves for museum
expositions with a fascinating exhibition of the Chropyně
native Emil Filla, the world famous Cubist painter, on display.
Part of the permanent exhibition is a unique collection of
historic arms. Surrounding the chateau is a lovely and extensive
park with the chateau fish pond, which is now a significant
nature preserve.
tel.: +420 573 355 074
http://www.muzeum-km.cz
| Kroměříž
- Archbishop’s chateau |
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Originally
a castle, and later a chateau as well as the residence of
the Olomouc bishops. After its destruction by the Swedes in
the Thirty Years’ War, Bishop Karl II of Liechtenstein-Castelcorn
rebuilt it into a sumptuous early baroque palace with an Italian
flair. The chateau has exceptionally well-preserved interiors,
witnesses to a great number of important events. In 1848 the
Austrian Imperial Court sat in the Parliamentary Hall and
the Emperor’s Room was host to the Russian Tsar Alexander
III in 1885. The gems of the castle are its famed chateau
library, with roughly 40 thousand bound titles including graphic
works, drawings, and a sheet music archive, and the world
famous picture collection, which contains Titian’s Apollo
and Marsyas, the most valuable painting in the Czech Republic.
Next to the chateau is the Bishop’s Mint and the chateau is
surrounded by a magnificent park. It has been registered on
the UNESCO List of World Natural and Cultural Heritage as
of the year 1998.
tel.: +420 573 502 011
http://www.azz.cz
| Náměšť
na Hané - Chateau |
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The chateau at Náměšť na Hané features unique collections
not found anywhere else in the country. Visitors may view
the collection of Meissen porcelain and the gold ceremonial
and black travelling coaches of the Olomouc bishops and archbishops
from the 18th to the 20th century. The tour also takes you
through the chateau gallery and the Empire style chateau chapel.
The chateau park, with its four paths oriented to the points
of the compass, is also worth seeing.
tel.: +420 585 952 184, +420 585 951 400
http://home.tiscali.cz/web_zamek/
(chateau web page)
http://www.namestnahane.cz
(municipality web page)
| Olomouc
- The Přemyslid Castle |
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A National Cultural Monument
The Romanesque Bishop’s and Capitular Palace, founded
in the beginning of the 12th century, located adjacent to
St. Wenceslas Cathedral. The complex is made up of a splendid
Gothic cloister with open courtyard and attached Chapels of
St. Anne and St. John the Baptist and two original encompassing
walls of the Bishop’s Palace with groups of richly decorated
Romanesque windows. In June the Romanesque Bishop’s Palace
will become part of the new Archdiocese Museum, with exhibitions
in the nearby Baroque building of the capitular deanery.
Dómské náměstí 4
tel.: +420 585 228 470
e-mail: info@olmuart.cz
http://www.olmuart.cz
| Plumlov
- Chateau |
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Reflected in the waters of the Plumlov reservoir is the monumental
Plumlov Chateau. This Early Mannerist chateau was built on
the site of a castle from the 13th century in 1680 by Jan
Adam of Liechtenstein. Originally four large wings were planned;
only one was built. Its most impressive feature is its façade,
incorporating massive columns.
At the chateau the annual theatrical-historical-musical meeting
Plumlov Party takes place.
tel.: +420 582 393 217
http://www.plumlov.cz
| Šternberk
- Castle |
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Šternberk Castle was founded in the second half of the 13th
century, most likely by Zdeslav of Chumec and Šternberk. Further
construction was carried out at the end of the 15th century
under the rule of the Berks of Dubá and Lipá. In the 16th
century the originally gothic castle was reconstructed in
the renaissance style. The current appearance of the
castle
was given in the 18th century by Jan II of Liechtenstein.
The interior of the castle is richly decorated, thanks to
artisans from the 14th to the 19th century. On display are
works of Czech, Italian, Dutch, German and other artists,
with many preserved vaultings and wooden ceiling beams, and
many rooms with fur rugs and original renaissance and baroque
ceramic stoves.
tel.: +420 585 012 935
http://www.sternberk.cz
http://www.npu.cz
| Tovačov
- Chateau |
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Tovačov
is surrounded by water and alluvial forest on three sides.
According to legend, the castle was founded as a sanctuary
for hunters. It was reconstructed as a renaissance chateau
by the last of the Cimburks. The characteristic feature of
the chateau is its nearly 100m high Spanish tower, from atop
of which visitors have an unforgettable and unspoiled view
of the surroundings. Of interest are its chateau chapel with
early baroque stucco work and a staircase in the chateau’s
left wing styled after that in the Vienna Opera House.
tel.: +420 581 731 309
http://www.tovacov.cz
