The Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž are one of Central Europe’s finest Baroque ensembles, a UNESCO World heritage site in the Czech Republic’s Moravian region where the magnificent Archbishop’s Chateau (used as a filming location for Amadeus) is complemented by two extraordinary gardens: the formal Pleasure Garden (one of the best-preserved Baroque gardens in Europe) and the naturalistic English-style Flower Garden. The castle’s interiors house one of the most important art collections in the Czech Republic, including paintings by Titian, Van Dyck, and Brueghel.
In This Article
Quick Facts: Kroměříž Castle and Gardens
- Best time to visit: May–September for the gardens in full bloom; June for the roses in the Flower Garden; the castle interiors are open year-round
- Top attraction: The Pleasure Garden (Podzámecká zahrada), 64 hectares of formal Baroque landscaping, and the castle’s art gallery
- How to get there: ~2.5 hours from Prague by car (D1), ~1 hour from Brno; direct trains from Prague and Brno to Kroměříž station (~15 min walk to the centre)
- Entry fee: Castle tour ~CZK 200 (€8); gardens free or included in the castle ticket; combined tickets available
- UNESCO status: Inscribed in 1998 as “an exceptionally complete and well-preserved example of a European Baroque princely residence and its associated gardens”
The Archbishop’s Chateau: Baroque Splendour and the Amadeus Connection
The Archbishop’s Chateau at Kroměříž is one of the most impressive aristocratic residences in Central Europe. Built in the 17th century after the original medieval castle was destroyed by Swedish forces during the Thirty Years’ War, the chateau served as the summer residence of the Olomouc archbishops. Its grand state rooms, including the magnificent Hall of the Diet (Sněmovní sál) and the Assembly Hall (Sál předků), are decorated with original Baroque frescoes, stucco work, crystal chandeliers, and period furnishings that have survived intact for over 300 years.
Film enthusiasts will immediately recognise the chateau’s interiors from Miloš Forman’s 1984 Oscar-winning film Amadeus. The castle’s grand halls stood in for Viennese palaces and aristocratic residences, with the magnificent Hall of the Diet serving as the setting for several key scenes. The chateau’s picture gallery is equally impressive, housing the second largest art collection in the Czech Republic after the National Gallery in Prague. Among the masterpieces on display are Titian’s The Flaying of Marsyas, Van Dyck’s portraits, and works by Brueghel, Veronese, and countless other European masters, making it a treasure trove for art lovers visiting Moravia.
The Pleasure Garden and the Flower Garden: Two Masterpieces of Landscape Design
The Pleasure Garden (Podzámecká zahrada) is one of the best-preserved Baroque formal gardens in Europe, stretching across 64 hectares along the Morava River. Originally a fruit and vegetable orchard serving the archbishops’ kitchen, it was transformed during the 17th century into a magnificent Baroque pleasure park with geometric flower beds, sculpted hedges, ornate fountains, and a network of gravel paths and avenues. The garden also features several Romantic-era additions including a Dutch-style garden, a decorative lake with an island, and picturesque bridges and pavilions that blend Baroque formality with English landscape influences.
The Flower Garden (Květná zahrada), located about 500 metres from the chateau, offers a completely different experience. Designed in the English landscape style of the 19th century, this garden features sweeping lawns, winding paths, and a magnificent central roundel surrounded by rose beds and herbaceous borders. June is the most spectacular month to visit, when thousands of roses bloom in a riot of colour and fragrance. The Flower Garden also includes an orangery, a classical colonnade, and a collection of antique statues that add to its serene and romantic atmosphere. Together, the two gardens represent over three centuries of evolving European garden design, from formal Baroque geometry to naturalistic Romanticism.
Planning Your Visit to Kroměříž
Kroměříž is easily accessible from both Prague and Brno, making it an ideal day trip or a stopover on a longer Moravian itinerary. The town itself is charming, with a historic square, a Gothic church, and several good restaurants serving Moravian cuisine and local wines. Guided tours of the chateau interior last approximately 60 minutes and are available in multiple languages, though advance booking is recommended during the peak summer months. The gardens are open daily and can be explored independently at your own pace.
When planning your visit, allow at least three to four hours to see the chateau and both gardens properly. Combined tickets that include access to the chateau, the picture gallery, and both gardens offer the best value. Photography is permitted in the gardens and in most of the chateau’s interior spaces without flash. The site is largely wheelchair accessible, with ramps available at the main entrances. For those interested in the Amadeus connection, the chateau offers a special themed tour that highlights the film locations and shares behind-the-scenes stories from the production.
View Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž in Czech republic in a larger map
Have you visited Kroměříž Castle or explored Moravia’s Baroque treasures? Share your Czech chateau experiences in the comments, especially if you recognised the Amadeus locations! 🎬
Explore all our Czech Republic travel guides, from Prague spires to Moravian wine country.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
