Czech Out Czech CastlesHistory! Magic! Romance! Architecture!byMarilyn KingCopyright (c) May 2003Yes, of course Prague is wonderful, and you should spend atleast a week there. I recently lived there for eight months.But if you really want to get to know the Czech Republic --explore the beautiful countryside. Visit a few of thehundreds of castles. The Czech Republic is a castle loversdream!Over 2000 castles, chateaus, and castle ruins have beenpreserved and are currently found in the Czech Republic --including the largest castle complex in the whole world,Hradcany -- the Prague Castle!Why? Czech Republic is in the heart of Europe -- a majorcrossroads of trade routes, and cultural influences.Starting with ancient Slav settlements (about 1000 AD) tothe golden age of castle building in the 13th and 14thcenturies.Forty years of communism kept most of this a secret. Todaythese treasures are being proudly restored and updated.Discover some of the wonderful castles of the Czech Republiccountryside with me --Most famous is Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle)...okay, it's notin the countryside, but you can't do Czech castles and skipthis one. Allow at least half a day (it does not includetime for museum visits) if you want to examine it in depth.Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague --and the largest ancient castle in the world. Begun around880, it has a very long history. Built on the site of an oldSlavic settlement on a hill, it overlooks the Vltava River.A wooden fortress already stood on the hill by 870 AD.Slowly it got larger and larger, built of wood, but partsbeing replaced by stone buildings over time. (Building instone was much more expensive.) By 1135 most buildings weremade of stone, and the Czech Kings made the castle theirmain residence.The castle reached it's zenith of importance during thereign of Czech king Charles IV. He had very ambitious plansfor it and his capitol city. Charles' son Vaclav had a newRoyal palace built in the old town in 1383, where the Kingsresided after that date.Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture ofstyles. Prague Castle has had four major reconstructions,but it retains its classical facelift from the 18th century-- during the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria. She paintedall the buildings yellow which was her favorite color --noblesse oblige -- but they have since been restored. Thecastle has three courtyards and has always been the seat ofCzech rulers as well as the official residence.Czech presidents have used Prague Castle as their principaloffice since 1918. When the square presidential flag wavesabove the royal palace the President is in the country.Konopiste Castle, about 55 km east of Prague -- was foundedby noble family Benesovec in the wooded valley of the riverSazava in 1300. A unique example of a French style castle inCzech Republic, its rectangular ground plan was divided intoa larger outer bailey in the west and the inner castle inthe eastern part. Seven round towers lined the periphery ofthe fortification walls.Architectural modifications took place through the centuries-- until Konopiste was extensively renovated into aresidence for its last occupant, Archduke Ferdinand.(Youremember him from 9th grade history?). To say that theArchduke was obsessed with weapons and hunting trophieswould be an understatement. In 1914, he was assassinatedalong with his Czech wife Sophie Chotek in Sarajevo. Thissad action started World War One. Today, this beautifulromantic castle houses a fascinating valuable collection ofhistorical weapons and armor. Rich interiors containBohemian crystal chandeliers, hunting equipment andunforgettable collections of hunting trophies -- over300,000 animals.About 35 km southeast of Prague is Karlstejn Castle, foundedby Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1348.Built as a Royal Gothic castle, this massive complex servedas a vault for the Czech Coronation Jewels of the Holy RomanEmpire and the Kingdom of Bohemia.With many sieges and battles over the centuries, the castleslowly deteriorated. In the 18th century the AustrianHapsburg rulers were aware of the historical significance ofKarlstejn and most seriously damaged parts were repaired.After 1853, work supervision was taken over by a newlyestablished Central Monuments Protection Commission residingin Vienna.Karlstejn gained its present appearance with repairs madeduring 1887-1899. Its most precious space is the "Chapel ofthe Cross". This spectacular room is decorated withsemi-precious stones embedded in the gilded stucco lowerwalls. Above this is the finest collection of Gothicpainting in the World -- 127 portrait paintings representing"the entire army of heaven" by Master Theodoric from the1360s. The ceiling is entirely gilded and adorned with realgolden stars. Dividing the room is a many-arched grate, hungwith precious stones and jewels.The only down-side is a steep uphill walk through a gauntletof tacky tourist shops to reach the castle -- but it's wellworth the effort. If you are not up to hiking uphill -- takethe horse drawn carriage ride to the castle entrance.About 35km north of Prague, near where the Elbe and Vltavarivers converge -- sits Melnik Castle and town of Czechqueens. This early Gothic castle (1050-1100) was built uponan old Slavonic fortified settlement (800 AD). It became aRoyal castle -- was expanded twice between 1400 and 1480,and rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau in 1553.Princess Ludmilla was born in Melnik, and from her timeforward, Melnik Castle has been the residence of the queenwidows of Bohemia. Under Emperor Charles IV, Melnik becamea royal city. His last wife had the castle's chapel withGothic vaults built. The last queen residing in Melnik, wasthe wife of Jiri Podebrad.Different noble families occupied the Melnik Estatethroughout the centuries until the castle was abandonedduring the Thirty Years War. In 1646 Count Czernin starteda major reconstruction with the early Baroque southern wingadded. The Count purchased the Melnik Estate from theEmperor. Heiress, Countess Ludmilla Czernin married PrinceAugust Anton Lobkowicz in 1753. With the exception of theSecond World War and the 40 years of communist rule, MelnikCastle remained in the family. The present owner JiriLobkowicz has been renovating the Castle since 1992.Melnik Castle with its historic interiors houses the artcollections, furnishings and hunting trophies of theLobkowic family. From the terrace overlooking the valley,you can see parts of the Royal vineyards. The grapes thatmake the same kind of wine favored by the Czech Kings (500years ago) are still grown there. This special wine can bebought at the Castle gift shop in Melnik -- as well as somespecialty wine shops in Prague.I tasted wonderful Melnik wines in the romantic, mysteriouscellar vault under the castle -- dating from the 14thcentury. A wonderful selection of both white and red winespresented by candlelight -- in this wine cellar which spans1500m2 on three floors under the castle. Next to anexhibition of old machines used for the vinification process-- you find an exhibition of fabulous heraldic animals thatare found on coats of arms of different aristocraticfamilies. You walk over a fascinating floor created fromthousands of wine bottles. Bottoms up -- remove any twoand the whole floor would collapse!Hluboka, the "Pearl of South Bohemia" is about 140 km southof Prague in South Bohemia -- above the Vltava near CeskeBudejovice. This famous place started as a Gothic castleabout 1250 to strengthen the power of the Czech Kings (thePremyslids). It remained a Royal property and administrativecenter until 1562, and then turned into a statelyRenaissance chateau. In 1661 it was bought by theSchwarzenberg family -- and 40 years later they had itrebuilt into a Baroque styled chateau.This lasted until 1841 when the charming chateau was rebuiltand modeled after Windsor Castle in England. Romantic bays,balconies, barriers, battlements and other elements giveHluboka a fairy-tale appearance. The chateau has magnificentand magical exteriors and interiors. Surrounded by a vastchateau park with French and English gardens, riding halland terraces -- it offers a view to the town and the riverVltava. One of the most visited chateaus in the Czechrepublic, Hluboka is lavishly furnished with huge familycollections of furniture, paintings, arms, rare tapestries,and artifacts.Cesky Krumlov is the 2nd largest Castle complex in CzechRepublic. Founded in 1230, the castle was expanded andremodeled several times. It had several owners until 1947when it was given to the Czech state.Its setting lording over the historic town is breathtaking.It has more than 40 buildings! It has many valuableRenaissance and Baroque rooms, paintings, tapestries, andfurnishings of the last five centuries. It boasts the mostunique 18th century Baroque theater in all of Europe withall it's original furnishings and fixtures. The chateaugarden with Rococo summerhouse, fountain, small lake,chapel! Their rotary auditorium summer theatre is one often most interesting theatres in the world.Plus -- all important Czech castles have live bears livingin their non-water moats. Live bears have been living inCesky Krumlov Castle's moat since before 1600.Pernstejn in South Moravia, this magnificent, well-preservedlate Gothic fortress was founded about 1250 as the seat ofthe Lords of Pernstejn. The castle's present appearanceresults from its remodeling between 1450-1550. It becameknown as the "marble" castle because of the marble-likelocal stone used to frame its doors and windows.The castle preserved some of its Gothic vaulting. About 1600the family was obliged to sell both the castle and theestate -- which marked the end of its days of glory. Around1700, Baroque alterations were carried out in some rooms,and in 1716 the ceilings of the chapel were decorated. Whitestucco was added to the Knights Hall. The most authenticmedieval castle in the Czech Republic -- it has noelectricity or fancy interiors. Hidden in the forest,Pernstejn is one of the most beautiful castles in CentralEurope.Helfstyn Castle in central Moravia is a ruin of a 16thcentury fortress. Originally a rather small Gothic castlewithout towers, it was founded about 1310 by Knight Fridusof Linava as a hideout. This Black Knight loved to robpeople...and Czech King Jan Lucembursky took the castle awayfrom him.Helfstyn Castle expanded substantially from about 1365 to1385. About 1600, more extensions, and in particular, mightyfortifications were made by Vilem of Pernstejn and his sonJan. The effectiveness of the fortification system wasapparent during the unsuccessful siege by the Hungarians in1468 and the Swedes during the Thirty Years War -- (1618-648). At the end of the 18th century Helfstyn was abandoned,but ever since the 19th century -- efforts have been made topreserve it.The new Gothic Lednice and the Baroque Valtice in SouthMoravia --The romantic Lednice Castle is situated on the Austro-Moravian frontier near Breclav, near an immense naturalpark. A Middle Ages stronghold, it was rebuilt as aRenaissance castle in the 16th century. A garden was laidout next to it. Around year 1600 three ponds were built,forming the basis for Lednice's landscape arrangement yousee in present days.Today, Lednice is an excellent example of English Tudorneo-Gothic style and one of the most important buildingsof Romanticism at its peak. See prestigious rooms, anartificial stalactite cavern, the rare tree of life madefrom ivory, a large landscaped English park with MinaretObelisk, and a French garden.In 1715 the Lichtenstejns built a highway to connect theirtwo castles -- Lednice and Valtice.The Valtice Castle, was not connected politically to theCzech lands -- but had close historical and family ties withMoravia and a similar cultural development. The oldestrecords concerning Valtice date from 1192. In the 14thcentury the castle was established.The Lichtenstejn family became the owners of Valtice estatein 1395 -- and it was in their possession until 1945. In the17th-18th century the castle was rebuilt in Baroque style.The ground plan has four wings, one courtyard, a towerand farming buildings.The interiors of Valtice Castle are decorated in 18thcentury styles -- Baroque, Rococo and Classical. All therooms have lovely frescos, beautiful furniture (especiallyRococo) and valuable paintings.If you walk from Valtice Castle, you pass small BelvedereCastle and the Temple of Diana, also called the Rendezvous.Walking towards Lednice through the forest you reach theromantic neo- Gothic -- Chapel of St. Hubert.The castle list goes on and on. It's hard to make a badchoice. Czech out as many Castles as you can.------------------------------------------------------------Marilyn King has been a travel professional since 1988. Her"Flight To Quality" has provided quality travel arrangementsfor individuals, corporations and groups: Europe, SouthAmerica and the Caribbean. Visit her at --( http://www.FlightToQuality.com ), Subscribe to her "Freefor Life" newsletter - "Psssss.....t!" Receive your FreeeReport - "Taste Wine in a Small Village" at --( http://www.FlightToQuality.com )You have permission to publish this article in its entirety,electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as thebylines are included, A courtesy copy of your publicationwould be appreciated. [Article Word Count=2124]------------------------------------------------------------Czech Out Czech CastlesHistory! Magic! Romance! Architecture!byMarilyn KingCopyright (c) May 2003Yes, of course Prague is wonderful, and you should spend atleast a week there. I recently lived there for eight months.But if you really want to get to know the Czech Republic --explore the beautiful countryside. Visit a few of thehundreds of castles. The Czech Republic is a castle loversdream!Over 2000 castles, chateaus, and castle ruins have beenpreserved and are currently found in the Czech Republic --including the largest castle complex in the whole world,Hradcany -- the Prague Castle!Why? Czech Republic is in the heart of Europe -- a majorcrossroads of trade routes, and cultural influences.Starting with ancient Slav settlements (about 1000 AD) tothe golden age of castle building in the 13th and 14thcenturies.Forty years of communism kept most of this a secret. Todaythese treasures are being proudly restored and updated.Discover some of the wonderful castles of the Czech Republiccountryside with me --Most famous is Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle)...okay, it's notin the countryside, but you can't do Czech castles and skipthis one. Allow at least half a day (it does not include
time for museum visits) if you want to examine it in depth.Prague Castle is the most popular sight visited in Prague --and the largest ancient castle in the world. Begun around880, it has a very long history. Built on the site of an oldSlavic settlement on a hill, it overlooks the Vltava River.A wooden fortress already stood on the hill by 870 AD.Slowly it got larger and larger, built of wood, but partsbeing replaced by stone buildings over time. (Building instone was much more expensive.) By 1135 most buildings weremade of stone, and the Czech Kings made the castle theirmain residence.The castle reached it's zenith of importance during thereign of Czech king Charles IV. He had very ambitious plansfor it and his capitol city. Charles' son Vaclav had a newRoyal palace built in the old town in 1383, where the Kingsresided after that date.Rulers made their own additions so there is a mixture ofstyles. Prague Castle has had four major reconstructions,but it retains its classical facelift from the 18th century-- during the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria. She paintedall the buildings yellow which was her favorite color --noblesse oblige -- but they have since been restored. Thecastle has three courtyards and has always been the seat ofCzech rulers as well as the official residence.Czech presidents have used Prague Castle as their principaloffice since 1918. When the square presidential flag wavesabove the royal palace the President is in the country.Konopiste Castle, about 55 km east of Prague -- was foundedby noble family Benesovec in the wooded valley of the riverSazava in 1300. A unique example of a French style castle inCzech Republic, its rectangular ground plan was divided intoa larger outer bailey in the west and the inner castle inthe eastern part. Seven round towers lined the periphery ofthe fortification walls.Architectural modifications took place through the centuries-- until Konopiste was extensively renovated into aresidence for its last occupant, Archduke Ferdinand.(Youremember him from 9th grade history?). To say that theArchduke was obsessed with weapons and hunting trophieswould be an understatement. In 1914, he was assassinatedalong with his Czech wife Sophie Chotek in Sarajevo. Thissad action started World War One. Today, this beautifulromantic castle houses a fascinating valuable collection ofhistorical weapons and armor. Rich interiors containBohemian crystal chandeliers, hunting equipment andunforgettable collections of hunting trophies -- over300,000 animals.About 35 km southeast of Prague is Karlstejn Castle, foundedby Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in 1348.Built as a Royal Gothic castle, this massive complex servedas a vault for the Czech Coronation Jewels of the Holy RomanEmpire and the Kingdom of Bohemia.With many sieges and battles over the centuries, the castleslowly deteriorated. In the 18th century the AustrianHapsburg rulers were aware of the historical significance ofKarlstejn and most seriously damaged parts were repaired.After 1853, work supervision was taken over by a newlyestablished Central Monuments Protection Commission residingin Vienna.Karlstejn gained its present appearance with repairs madeduring 1887-1899. Its most precious space is the "Chapel ofthe Cross". This spectacular room is decorated withsemi-precious stones embedded in the gilded stucco lowerwalls. Above this is the finest collection of Gothicpainting in the World -- 127 portrait paintings representing"the entire army of heaven" by Master Theodoric from the1360s. The ceiling is entirely gilded and adorned with realgolden stars. Dividing the room is a many-arched grate, hungwith precious stones and jewels.The only down-side is a steep uphill walk through a gauntletof tacky tourist shops to reach the castle -- but it's wellworth the effort. If you are not up to hiking uphill -- takethe horse drawn carriage ride to the castle entrance.About 35km north of Prague, near where the Elbe and Vltavarivers converge -- sits Melnik Castle and town of Czechqueens. This early Gothic castle (1050-1100) was built uponan old Slavonic fortified settlement (800 AD). It became aRoyal castle -- was expanded twice between 1400 and 1480,and rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau in 1553.Princess Ludmilla was born in Melnik, and from her timeforward, Melnik Castle has been the residence of the queenwidows of Bohemia. Under Emperor Charles IV, Melnik becamea royal city. His last wife had the castle's chapel withGothic vaults built. The last queen residing in Melnik, wasthe wife of Jiri Podebrad.Different noble families occupied the Melnik Estatethroughout the centuries until the castle was abandonedduring the Thirty Years War. In 1646 Count Czernin starteda major reconstruction with the early Baroque southern wingadded. The Count purchased the Melnik Estate from theEmperor. Heiress, Countess Ludmilla Czernin married PrinceAugust Anton Lobkowicz in 1753. With the exception of theSecond World War and the 40 years of communist rule, MelnikCastle remained in the family. The present owner JiriLobkowicz has been renovating the Castle since 1992.Melnik Castle with its historic interiors houses the artcollections, furnishings and hunting trophies of theLobkowic family. From the terrace overlooking the valley,you can see parts of the Royal vineyards. The grapes thatmake the same kind of wine favored by the Czech Kings (500years ago) are still grown there. This special wine can bebought at the Castle gift shop in Melnik -- as well as somespecialty wine shops in Prague.I tasted wonderful Melnik wines in the romantic, mysteriouscellar vault under the castle -- dating from the 14thcentury. A wonderful selection of both white and red winespresented by candlelight -- in this wine cellar which spans1500m2 on three floors under the castle. Next to anexhibition of old machines used for the vinification process-- you find an exhibition of fabulous heraldic animals thatare found on coats of arms of different aristocraticfamilies. You walk over a fascinating floor created fromthousands of wine bottles. Bottoms up -- remove any twoand the whole floor would collapse!Hluboka, the "Pearl of South Bohemia" is about 140 km southof Prague in South Bohemia -- above the Vltava near CeskeBudejovice. This famous place started as a Gothic castleabout 1250 to strengthen the power of the Czech Kings (thePremyslids). It remained a Royal property and administrativecenter until 1562, and then turned into a statelyRenaissance chateau. In 1661 it was bought by theSchwarzenberg family -- and 40 years later they had itrebuilt into a Baroque styled chateau.This lasted until 1841 when the charming chateau was rebuiltand modeled after Windsor Castle in England. Romantic bays,balconies, barriers, battlements and other elements giveHluboka a fairy-tale appearance. The chateau has magnificentand magical exteriors and interiors. Surrounded by a vastchateau park with French and English gardens, riding halland terraces -- it offers a view to the town and the riverVltava. One of the most visited chateaus in the Czechrepublic, Hluboka is lavishly furnished with huge familycollections of furniture, paintings, arms, rare tapestries,and artifacts.Cesky Krumlov is the 2nd largest Castle complex in CzechRepublic. Founded in 1230, the castle was expanded andremodeled several times. It had several owners until 1947when it was given to the Czech state.Its setting lording over the historic town is breathtaking.It has more than 40 buildings! It has many valuableRenaissance and Baroque rooms, paintings, tapestries, andfurnishings of the last five centuries. It boasts the mostunique 18th century Baroque theater in all of Europe withall it's original furnishings and fixtures. The chateaugarden with Rococo summerhouse, fountain, small lake,chapel! Their rotary auditorium summer theatre is one often most interesting theatres in the world.Plus -- all important Czech castles have live bears livingin their non-water moats. Live bears have been living inCesky Krumlov Castle's moat since before 1600.Pernstejn in South Moravia, this magnificent, well-preservedlate Gothic fortress was founded about 1250 as the seat ofthe Lords of Pernstejn. The castle's present appearanceresults from its remodeling between 1450-1550. It becameknown as the "marble" castle because of the marble-likelocal stone used to frame its doors and windows.The castle preserved some of its Gothic vaulting. About 1600the family was obliged to sell both the castle and theestate -- which marked the end of its days of glory. Around1700, Baroque alterations were carried out in some rooms,and in 1716 the ceilings of the chapel were decorated. Whitestucco was added to the Knights Hall. The most authenticmedieval castle in the Czech Republic -- it has noelectricity or fancy interiors. Hidden in the forest,Pernstejn is one of the most beautiful castles in CentralEurope.Helfstyn Castle in central Moravia is a ruin of a 16thcentury fortress. Originally a rather small Gothic castlewithout towers, it was founded about 1310 by Knight Fridusof Linava as a hideout. This Black Knight loved to robpeople...and Czech King Jan Lucembursky took the castle awayfrom him.Helfstyn Castle expanded substantially from about 1365 to1385. About 1600, more extensions, and in particular, mightyfortifications were made by Vilem of Pernstejn and his sonJan. The effectiveness of the fortification system wasapparent during the unsuccessful siege by the Hungarians in1468 and the Swedes during the Thirty Years War -- (1618-648). At the end of the 18th century Helfstyn was abandoned,but ever since the 19th century -- efforts have been made topreserve it.The new Gothic Lednice and the Baroque Valtice in SouthMoravia --The romantic Lednice Castle is situated on the Austro-Moravian frontier near Breclav, near an immense naturalpark. A Middle Ages stronghold, it was rebuilt as aRenaissance castle in the 16th century. A garden was laidout next to it. Around year 1600 three ponds were built,forming the basis for Lednice's landscape arrangement yousee in present days.Today, Lednice is an excellent example of English Tudorneo-Gothic style and one of the most important buildingsof Romanticism at its peak. See prestigious rooms, anartificial stalactite cavern, the rare tree of life madefrom ivory, a large landscaped English park with MinaretObelisk, and a French garden.In 1715 the Lichtenstejns built a highway to connect theirtwo castles -- Lednice and Valtice.The Valtice Castle, was not connected politically to theCzech lands -- but had close historical and family ties withMoravia and a similar cultural development. The oldestrecords concerning Valtice date from 1192. In the 14thcentury the castle was established.The Lichtenstejn family became the owners of Valtice estatein 1395 -- and it was in their possession until 1945. In the17th-18th century the castle was rebuilt in Baroque style.The ground plan has four wings, one courtyard, a towerand farming buildings.The interiors of Valtice Castle are decorated in 18thcentury styles -- Baroque, Rococo and Classical. All therooms have lovely frescos, beautiful furniture (especiallyRococo) and valuable paintings.If you walk from Valtice Castle, you pass small BelvedereCastle and the Temple of Diana, also called the Rendezvous.Walking towards Lednice through the forest you reach theromantic neo- Gothic -- Chapel of St. Hubert.The castle list goes on and on. It's hard to make a badchoice. Czech out as many Castles as you can.------------------------------------------------------------Marilyn King has been a travel professional since 1988. Her"Flight To Quality" has provided quality travel arrangementsfor individuals, corporations and groups: Europe, SouthAmerica and the Caribbean. Visit her at --( http://www.FlightToQuality.com ), Subscribe to her "Freefor Life" newsletter - "Psssss.....t!" Receive your FreeeReport - "Taste Wine in a Small Village" at --( http://www.FlightToQuality.com )
