Europe Explored » thirty years

Český Šternberk Castle – one of the best preserved Gothic castles in the Czech Republic

Claire — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 21:53:50 +0000

The Gothic castle Český Šternberg is considered one of the best preserved castles in the Czech republic. It was built around the year of 1241 on a high rocky promontory above the river Sázava by Zdeslav of Divišov’s. He gave it the name Sternberg after his coat of arms, bearing the golden star.

The Gothic appearance of the castle was changed by several reconstructions, especially interior which is now more in Baroque or Rococo style. The tour leads through fifteen rooms, richly furnished mostly with stylish furniture, with valuable paintings and carpets. Visitors can see here a unique collection of 545 copper engravings, depicting the entire history of the Thirty Years’ War, but also a collection of historic weapons, art porcelain, hunting trophies, and many other attractions. During the season there are thousands of tourists, who have the opportunity to use also hiking and biking trails. Today the castle is owned by the Sternberg family.

The castle in open from April to October and basic admission fee is 100CZK (€4). It is situated only about 40km from Prague, so if you have one free day while visiting Prague, this castle is a great idea to spend it.

For further information visit Official website of Český Šternberg Castle

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Esterházy Palace – one of the most beautiful and largest castles in Hungary

Claire — Mon, 30 May 2011 07:48:44 +0000

Esterházy Palace is one of the largest and most beautiful castles of Hungary. The castle is located in the village Fertőd at the western part of the country, close to the Austrian borders. In the mid 18th century, Miklós Esterházy rebuilt a hunting lodge to the Baroque – Rococo palace. The castle is called also the Hungarian Versailles.

The complex consists of the palace with 126 rooms, opera house, Diana’s Temple, the Temple of Venus, the Hermitage, the Chinese pavilion, dance hall, puppet theatre and a large French garden. The castle was a home of the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn for almost thirty years. Even Empress Maria Theresa lived here in 1773.

After the death of Count Esterházy, the family left and the castle remained empty for nearly a whole century. During the Second World War, the chateau served as a hospital and was damaged. In the past few years the castle has been partially renovated and rebuilt into a hotel. Today there are 26 rooms available.

There is a museum and music hall. Every year it hosts International Music Festival and Weeks of music.

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Gardens and Castle at Kroměříž in Czech republic

Claire — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:58:17 +0000

Kroměříž Castle and Gardens are located in the same-name town of Kroměříž in Czech Republic. Archbishop’s castle and gardens are among the most important monuments of Moravia. They were built in the 17th century, after Thirty Years’ War. However at this place, there was the castle already before the Thirty Years’ War, but the castle was destroyed by Swedish people. The history of the castle has been linked with the Olomouc archbishop who built it as his summer residence. The castle has its Chateau garden which was after the Thirty Years’ War transformed from the original fruit and vegetable gardens into the Baroque garden. Later it became a park with many rare trees, lakes and beautiful places. There is the Flower Garden with antique statues and a central roundel. Since 1995, Castle and Gardens in Kroměříž are classified as a national monument and in 1998 were registered on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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