Kynžvart Castle is one of the oldest in the Czech Republic. It was built on the site of an ancient fortress, which was erected in the 13th century. The citadel was built in the most dangerous place– Slavkov forest, where robbers often hunted in those days.
Since 1681, the castle became the property of the wealthy Metternich family and did not change its owners until 1945.
The austere, solid castle was rebuilt in the classical style in 1820-1839 by order of the chancellor of the emperor himself, Mr. Metternich-Winneburg. This building was designed to emphasize the influence and weight of the prince over other nobles. The castle fully met the expectations of its owner. It is devoid of frivolous decor, in some ways even ascetic, strictly proportional and symmetrical.
The Mitternich family lost all their property, including this comfortable castle, which housed family treasures and collections of various objects, in 1945. Since then, the castle has been open to visitors. It houses a museum.
Visitors will be interested in visiting the cabinet, which contains items that belonged to famous people. There you can see Byron's pendant, Marie Antoinette's Bible and so on.
The castle is surrounded by a luxurious park in english style. The greenery of the lawns harmonizes well with the light facade and subdued colored tiles. In the park there are huge century-old trees, shade is also promised by romantic carved gazebos, the pond reflects the blue of the sky and serves as a place of residence for ducks.
There is a golf course in a secluded corner of the park.
Castles of Western Bohemia
Kynžvart Castle in Empire style
About 50 kilometers southwest of Karlovy Vary, near the border with Germany, is the small town of Lazne Kynžvart, which houses one of the most striking castles in the Czech Republic in the Empire style - Czech castle Kynžvart.
STORY
Czech castle Kynžvart first mentioned in chronicles in the 13th century, it was then that a small Czech fortress in the Gothic style was built on this site by order of King Přemysl Otakar II to protect the western borders. At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. True, Kynzvart Castle did not last long in this form; after the devastating Thirty Years' War, only ruins remained in its place, on the site of which the new owner, Count Philipp Emerich von Metternich, built a baroque castle in 1681-1691.
A descendant of Philip Emerich, Clemens Lothar von Metternich, the first chancellor of the Austrian Empire in 1821-1848, made Kynzwart Castle his main residence, rebuilding it in the then fashionable “imperial” (empire) style. The reconstruction of Kynzvart Castle, carried out under the direction of the Viennese architect of Italian origin Pietro Nobile, led to the emergence of a practical new castle, completely hiding the original Baroque appearance. During the time of Clemens von Metternich Czech castle Kynžvart was the center cultural life Western Bohemia, the famous Czech writer Adalbert Stifter lived here, and Johann Wolfgang Goethe often visited.
Owned by the Metternichs Czech castle Kynžvart was until 1945; for the next two years the castle housed the headquarters of the Third American Army and the US Embassy. And finally, from 1947 to the present time, the Czech castle Kynžvart has been owned by the Czech state; from 1976 to 1994, a general reconstruction was carried out, after which this Czech castle reopened its doors to visitors.
INTERESTING FACTS
Clemens von Metternich
Clemens von Metternich (1773-1859) - Austrian diplomat and politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire in 1809-48. During the Napoleonic wars he became one of the most influential and skillful diplomats of that time. Under his leadership, the Congress of Vienna of 1814-15 took place, which determined the new structure of Europe after the victory over Napoleon. And Austria, which suffered defeats in almost all battles, moved from one coalition to another (in 1812, Austrian units even took part in Napoleon’s campaign in Russia, although they were in the anti-French coalition before and after this war), received almost the largest territorial gains thanks to diplomatic art of von Metternich.
Subsequently, until his resignation in 1848, von Metternich remained a pillar of reaction in Europe, pursuing a policy aimed at suppressing any free thought, supporting the system of absolutism with all his might. With his active participation, student movements in Germany were suppressed, and the introduction of constitutions was delayed in those states where they had not yet been adopted. Constitutional movements in Italy and Spain were suppressed by force of arms, and the liberation movement against Turkish rule in Greece took six years to achieve the formation of an independent Greek state, which Metternich also strongly opposed.
And only the whirlwind of the European revolutions of 1848 forced this flamboyant reactionary to resign; von Metternich even had to go into hiding and then flee to Great Britain. True, already in 1852 he returned to Vienna and took his former high position in society; Emperor Franz Joseph I often turned to him for advice, however, von Metternich no longer received official posts.
WHAT TO SEE
In the Czech castle Kynžvart, twenty-five rooms are open to viewing. Among them are the solemn Empire Malachite, Blue (Napoleonic) and Staircase halls, as well as the small but charming dark drawing room, the chancellor's office with a folding table, used during the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15. The Green Hall houses a gallery of portraits of the Habsburgs and representatives of the Metternich family. The billiard room is famous for its Russian billiards, a gift from Russian Emperor Nicholas I.
Also interesting are the castle's armory with a collection of more than 220 bladed weapons and firearms, the smoking lounge in the Renaissance style, and the Great Hall with sculptures by Antonio Canova. In the chapel of Kynžvart Castle, in a marble altar, there are the relics of St. Boniface (a gift from Pope Gregory XVI). And, of course, the library of Chancellor von Metternich with more than 24,000 rare old books, which is the largest aristocratic library in the Czech Republic, is of great interest. One of the most popular places The Czech castle Kynžvart is a cabinet of curiosities - many items associated with famous people are collected here - the comb of Maria Theresa, the shoes of Pope Gregory XVI, the prayer book of Marie Antoinette, the desk and chair of Alexandre Dumas, the Turkish amulet of Lord Byron, archaeological finds from Pompeii, Peru, Egypt (there is even a mummy) and many other interesting rarities.
After inspection of the interiors Czech castle Kynzvart, do not forget to stroll along the alleys of the castle park - also a masterpiece of classicism, but this time of landscape art, created by the Viennese designer Riedl under the direction of Clemens von Metternich. Located on an area of 100 hectares, the Kynžvart Castle Park is one of the largest in the Czech Republic, three rivers flow through it, several ponds, the chapel of St. Kříž, and statues of the goddess Diana. There is also a poultry house for birds of prey injured in the wild.
The Czech castle Kynžvart is open to visitors, like most Czech castles, from April to October every day except Mondays, according to the following schedule:
In April and October, open only on Saturdays and Sundays. It is possible to visit in February, March and November, but only by reservation. Moreover, for groups of up to 25 people, the total cost of the excursion is 4250 Cron ( 190 Euro). In normal times, the entrance ticket price is 150 CZK for an adult, 90 CZK for a child from 6 to 15 years old and 390 CZK- family ticket.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
To get there by car, leave Karlovy Vary to the west along the motorway 6(E48), after 40 kilometers use the exit 162 to the highway 21 in the direction of Plana, Marianske Lazne ( Plana, Marianske Lazne), after 14 kilometers, turn left following the signs for the castle and Lazne Kynzvart, along this road, following the signs, drive about another 2 kilometers, the Kynzvart castle will be on the right side of the road, parking is right next to the castle.
Kynžvart Castle is one of the best architectural monuments Czech Republic in the style of classicism. The history of the castle dates back to the 13th century from an ancient guard fortress, built by order of King Přemysl Otakar II to guard the trade route connecting the Czech Republic with Western Europe. The name Kinzhvart means “Royal Guard”.
However, over the next century, the castle gradually lost its importance; the deserted castle was chosen by vagabond knights who robbed caravans and neighboring villages. Therefore, in 1348, by order of King Charles IV, the castle was burned. But on July 1, 1398, the son of Charles IV, Wenceslas IV, ordered the restoration of the Kynžvart estate. After changing many owners, the fortress passed into the hands of the Zedwitz family. And in its place a castle in the Renaissance style appears. In 1818, after the Battle of White Mountain, the Kynžvart estate was acquired by representatives of the old Czech Metternich family. During the years 1820-1839, under the leadership of the architect of Italian origin Pietro Nobile, it was reconstructed in the style of Viennese classicism.
In 1945, the estate and castle Kynžvart became state property. One of the last owners, the Chancellor of the Austrian Empire. Client Metternich was an avid collector and collected a large library in the castle, numbering 6,000 volumes, a unique collection of weapons, coins, medals and other art objects. Among them is a porphyrite vase donated by the Russian Emperor Alexander I. The Blue Cabinet contains personal belongings of Napoleon Bonaparte, donated by his wife Marie Louise of Austria. The eastern corridor is decorated with antiques from China, Japan and Persia.
Among the exhibits of the castle you can see unique historical objects: the desk of Alexandre Dumas the Elder, the mace of Jan Zizka, the gloves of the Mexican Emperor Maximilian, the prayer book of Marie Antoinette, the prototype of the hand grenade with which the assassination attempt was made on the Emperor of France Napoleon III. Even Egyptian mummies found their place in the castle rooms. These are wooden tombs, 3.5 and 2.5 thousand years old, given to the Metternich family by the Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt, Muhammad Ali.
Around the castle there is an English park with an area of 300 hectares, conducive to leisurely strolls. The park contains valuable trees, ten ponds, romantic gazebos and pavilions, each of which has its own history.
The castle keeps many secrets and legends. One of them is the mysterious death at the age of 28 of Princess Pascalina Metternich, in whose memory a white marble cross rises on overgrown boulders at the end of the park.
In the Czech Republic, 48 km from the resort of Karlovy Vary, the magnificent Kynžvart Castle is located. In 1691, Count von Metternich built it from the ruins of the fortress, and the castle belonged to the family until 1945. In 1947, the castle became a state museum, and since 1994, 25 halls and rooms have been offered for tours. The museum contains a huge collection of valuables: paintings, weapons, personal belongings of historical figures, an ancient library.
What time can I take a tour of the castle museum?
Kynžvart Castle welcomes tourists from April to October. Day off is Monday. In April, May, June, September and October, the castle museum is open from 10 to 16 hours with a break from 12 to 12-30 hours. In July and August - from 10 to 17 hours, with a break from 12 to 13 hours. In February, March and November, the museum opens only by advance reservation.
From December 28 to 31, the castle welcomes guests by appointment. In April and October the museum is only open on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required in February, March, and November.
Briefly:
Mon-Sat: 10:00-16:00 (break 12:00-12:30), valid in April, May, June, September, October
Mon-Sat: 10:00-17:00 (break 12:00-13:00), valid in July, August
February, March, November - excursions are available by prior arrangement
How much does this tour cost?
An adult ticket for a tour in Russian costs 150 CZK, for children under 15 years old - 90 CZK, and a family ticket - 390 CZK.
How to get to Kynžvart Castle from Prague?
Address: 354 91 Lázně Kynžvart Česká republika
To get to the museum from Prague, you first need to get to Karlovy Vary. Trains go there for 4 hours, the ticket costs 219 CZK. Buses depart from central bus station, the ticket price is 140 CZK, and the travel time is about 2 and a half hours. The plane flies to Skláre Airport in Karlovy Vary. A ticket costs about 18 thousand Russian rubles. And if you drive from Prague by car, you need to take the western highway No. 6 and drive a distance of 140 km.
You can get to the castle from Karlovy Vary by driving to the city of Marianske Lazne.
The train leaves there from Central Station five times a day: at 5.36, 12.00, 14.12, 16.12 and 21.22 hours. Travel time – one and a half hours, distance – 45 km. Ticket price: 103 CZK. From Marianske Lazne you need to drive 11 km to the town of Lazne Kynžvart. The remaining one and a half kilometers to the castle can be walked along a path with signs or taken by bus, which leaves from the station every two hours.
If you travel from Karlovy Vary by bus, you will have to make several transfers, but a taxi will take you there in 40 minutes. The fare is 40 EUR.
In your car, you need to leave Karlovy Vary in a westerly direction along highway 6 (E48). After driving 40 km, you will see exit no. 162, which leads to Marianske Lazne. After driving along it for 14 km, turn left and another 2 km will take you, following the signs, straight to the castle and parking lot
The Czech castle Kynžvart was first mentioned in chronicles in the 13th century; it was then that a small Czech fortress in the Gothic style was built on this site by order of King Přemysl Otakar II to protect the western borders. At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. True, Kynzvart Castle did not last long in this form; after the devastating Thirty Years' War, only ruins remained in its place, on the site of which the new owner, Count Philipp Emerich von Metternich, built a baroque castle in 1681-1691.
A descendant of Philip Emerich, Clemens Lothar von Metternich, the first chancellor of the Austrian Empire in 1821-1848, made Kynzwart Castle his main residence, rebuilding it in the then fashionable “imperial” (empire) style. The reconstruction of Kynzvart Castle, carried out under the direction of the Viennese architect of Italian origin Pietro Nobile, led to the emergence of a practical new castle, completely hiding the original Baroque appearance. During the time of Clemens von Metternich, the Czech castle Kynzvart was the center of cultural life in Western Bohemia, the famous Czech writer Adalbert Stifter lived here, and Johann Wolfgang Goethe often visited.
The Czech castle Kynžvart was owned by the Metternichs until 1945; for the next two years, the castle housed the headquarters of the Third American Army and the US Embassy. And finally, from 1947 to the present time, the Czech castle Kynžvart has been owned by the Czech state; from 1976 to 1994, a general reconstruction was carried out, after which this Czech castle reopened its doors to visitors.
In the Czech castle Kynžvart, twenty-five rooms are open to viewing. Among them are the solemn Empire Malachite, Blue (Napoleonic) and Staircase halls, as well as the small but charming dark drawing room, the chancellor's office with a folding table, used during the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15. The Green Hall houses a gallery of portraits of the Habsburgs and representatives of the Metternich family. The billiard room is famous for its Russian billiards, a gift from Russian Emperor Nicholas I.
Also interesting are the castle's armory with a collection of more than 220 bladed weapons and firearms, the smoking lounge in the Renaissance style, and the Great Hall with sculptures by Antonio Canova. In the chapel of Kynžvart Castle, in a marble altar, there are the relics of St. Boniface (a gift from Pope Gregory XVI). And, of course, the library of Chancellor von Metternich with more than 24,000 rare old books, which is the largest aristocratic library in the Czech Republic, is of great interest. One of the most popular places in the Czech Kynžvart Castle is the Kunstkamera - many items associated with famous people are collected here - the comb of Maria Theresa, the shoes of Pope Gregory XVI, the prayer book of Marie Antoinette, the desk and chair of Alexandre Dumas, the Turkish amulet of Lord Byron, archaeological finds from Pompeii, Peru, Egypt (there is even a mummy) and many other interesting rarities.
After visiting the interiors of the Czech castle Kynžvart, do not forget to stroll along the alleys of the castle park - also a masterpiece of classicism, but of landscape art, created by the Viennese designer Riedl under the direction of Clemens von Metternich. Located on an area of 100 hectares, the Kynžvart Castle Park is one of the largest in the Czech Republic, three rivers flow through it, several ponds, the chapel of St. Kříž, and statues of the goddess Diana. There is also a poultry house for birds of prey injured in the wild.
The Czech castle Kynžvart is open to visitors, like most Czech castles, from April to October every day except Mondays, according to the following schedule:
Opening hours
April-June, September, October
July August
In April and October, open only on Saturdays and Sundays. It is possible to visit in February, March and November, but only by reservation. Moreover, for groups of up to 25 people, the total cost of the excursion is 4250 CZK (190 Euro). In normal times, the entrance ticket price is 150 CZK for an adult, 90 CZK for a child from 6 to 15 years old and 390 CZK for a family ticket.
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