Blansko Chateau
Blansko is a town located in the valley of the river Svratka, about twenty kilometers north of Brno. Not far from its main square there is a chateau, which will be a pleasant way to diversify a trip to the Moravian region. It doesn't mean much when you come to it, but don't worry, you will definitely like it.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Blansko Chateau
The Renaissance chateau in Blansko was built in the 16th century on the site of an earlier Gothic fortress, probably dating from the 13th century. It was built by the Žalkovský family from Žalkovice, to which Blansko belonged since 1573. During the Thirty Years' War, the chateau often changed owners and was badly affected. In the years 1643-1645 it was even severely damaged under the owners of the Lions from Rožmitál. The chateau was then acquired by the Silesian aristocratic Gellhorn family, who had it expanded and rebuilt in the Baroque style. In 1766, the chateau and the entire Blane estate were bought from Gellhorn by its last private owners, the Salm-Reifferscheidt family. They then managed their property until 1945, when it was nationalized. During the 19th century, the chateau underwent first Empire and later Neo-Renaissance alterations. After nationalization, however, the castle experienced a major decline. He had to adapt to the apartments and there was even a granary in it. Fortunately, it was reconstructed into the original Renaissance form in the years 1960-1968 and has been used as a museum ever since.
The museum at the chateau offers nine permanent exhibitions - Discoverers of the Moravian Karst, Baron Reichenbach's Chemical Laboratory, Castles of the Blansko area, Figural cast iron from the Blane ironworks, The oldest smelters, Decorative and utility cast iron of the 19th and 20th centuries, Historic interiors at the Blane chateau. The most attractive for visitors is the fictitious Chemical Laboratory, which is located in the basement of the castle. In the first part you will meet the person of Baron Reichenbach, a famous discoverer of paraffin, naphthalene and artificial colors, who lived in Blansko for over twenty years. You can see the unique geological map of the surroundings of Blansko, which he made in 1833. You can also cast some nice paraffin ornaments here. In the second part there is a period chemical laboratory.
If you don't want to go inside, check out at least a small nice courtyard with a fountain made in the Salm ironworks in the 19th century. Around the castle there is a relatively small, but very nice park. Especially its one small valley with a pond invites to a romantic walk.
Author: Martina Limbergová