Archive: Travel | Castles Castles
Křivoklát Castle
With the arrival of spring in the Czech Republic the tourist season is
beginning to slowly re-awaken and with it a favourite Czech pastime -
visiting the country's many castles and chateaux with family and friends.
In that spirit today we visit the royal castle of Křivoklát - a most
remarkable site with a history that stretches back to the 12th century.
Found on a promontory of rolling hills overlooking deep woodlands,
Křivoklát was a favourite of King Wenceslas IV. He used it primarily for
leisure and sport, preferring it to his father's more famous Karlštejn,
located in the same region. Over the centuries Křivoklát then served as
bastion as well as prison; as fans of the esoteric will know even famous
English alchemist Edward Kelley was imprisoned there, breaking his leg in
a botched escape. Certainly, Křivoklát never easily released its own.
Their histories continue to pervade the site going back hundreds of years. More
Znojmo Castle
One of the most beautiful towns in Moravia and historically an important
location in the Czech Republic is Znojmo - a town whose foundations date
back to the 11th century. For centuries Znojmo guarded the regions of
southern Moravia, part of an elaborate chain of defending castles along
the Dyje River and the border with Austrian lands, developing from a
promontory fort to medieval stronghold and local seat of administration
for the Přemyslids - the first line of Czech kings. By the mid 1200s
Znojmo was dominant, complementing neighbouring castles at Bítov and
Vranov. More
Konopiště Chateau
The Czech Republic is famous as a country of castles but this week I had a
chance to visit one that is truly exceptional: the renowned Konopiště
Chateau, found just 40 kilometres south of Prague. Konopiště, together
with its wide surroundings and gorgeous interiors, is of course
particularly famous for its ill-fated last owner – the heir-apparent to
the Austrian throne, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, assassinated, together
with his wife, in Sarajevo in 1914 - the spark that set off the First World
War. In this edition of Spotlight we visit some of the magnificent rooms at
Konopiště which Francis Ferdinand and his family once used to welcome
notable guests. More
The history and mysteries of Zbiroh Chateau
Zbiroh Chateau has stood on its hill between the Křivoklátské and Brdy
Forests since the 12th century, a beautiful thing, wistfully recalled in
the famous melody by Václav Vačkář, “A Memory of Zbiroh”. Until
recently, memories of Zbiroh were just about all anyone had, because the
chateau and its many treasures and mysteries were strictly sealed off for
most of the 20th century. The memory of its illustrious history is only
resurfacing today. More
Švihov Castle
Anyone visiting the area of southwest Bohemia throughout May to October
shouldn’t miss a tour of Švihov Castle, one of the country’s most
significant water castles found not far from Plzeň. Founded in the late
16th century, the castle represented the best defence system in its day –
a combination of high fortifications and moats that put off the most
obstinate of would-be attackers. Today the castle offers two tours, which
include a look into its inner courtyard, a private chapel and the armoury.
More
Prague Castle’s Golden Lane to close for renovation
One of the Czech capital’s most famous attractions, the picturesque
Golden Lane up at Prague Castle, is set to be closed to the public for at
least a year. Castle officials say the landmark has to undergo thorough
renovation, as the little street is under threat from an antiquated
drainage system.
More
Nepomuk and environs - some facts and lots of fiction
If there were a capital city of legendry in the Czech Republic, the town of
Nepomuk would be a hot contestant for the honour. There are said to be
graves that glow when someone’s about to die, a landscape littered with
the petrified cattle of a greedy pagan and the ghost of an evil musketeer
who walks the earth with the still-ferocious spectre of his dog. The
official population of Nepomuk may be 3,700, but that’s only if you count
the living.
More
The history and mysteries of Zbiroh Chateau
Zbiroh Chateau has stood on its hill between the Křivoklátské and Brdy
Forests since the 12th century, a beautiful thing, wistfully recalled in
the famous melody by Václav Vačkář, “A Memory of Zbiroh”. Until
recently, memories of Zbiroh were just about all anyone had, because the
chateau and its many treasures and mysteries were strictly sealed off for
most of the 20th century. The memory of its illustrious history is only
resurfacing today. More
Kozel Chateau
One of the best kept secrets among Czech castles and historic sites is the
gorgeous Kozel Chateau founded in the late 18th century in western Bohemia.
Founded by nobleman Jan Vojtěch Černín, a member of Emperor Joseph
II’s court, the stone residence served an as exquisite hunting chateau
and today is one of the best examples of Classicist architecture in
Bohemia. The site is surrounded by fine lawns, a beautiful park and forests
perfect for visits in the spring and summer. What’s more, Kozel is only
an hour or so away from Prague and just minutes from nearby Pilsen.
More
Konopiště Chateau
The Czech Republic is famous as a country of castles but this week I had a
chance to visit one that is truly exceptional: the renowned Konopiště
Chateau, found just 40 kilometres south of Prague. Konopiště, together
with its wide surroundings and gorgeous interiors, is of course
particularly famous for its ill-fated last owner – the heir-apparent to
the Austrian throne, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, assassinated, together
with his wife, in Sarajevo in 1914 - the spark that set off the First
World
War. In this edition of Spotlight we visit some of the magnificent rooms
at
Konopiště which Francis Ferdinand and his family once used to welcome
notable guests. More
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