Nový Falkenburk (chateau)

Originally in its place until the first half of the 15th century stood a fortress, which was then replaced by a castle, built between 1565 and 1572 by Jindřich Berka of Dubá and Lipá. He named it New Falkenburg after Falkenburg Castle, which stood on Sokol Hill not far from here.

The castle originally had two wings, a shingle roof with a clock and a turret. The castle had a horse stable and a smithy, and the whole complex later changed its appearance quite often, as well as the owner. In 1599, the chateau fell into the possession of Markéta Hozlauerová from Liběchov, and after her death the chateau passed into the hands of her husband Vladislav Hozlauer from Hozlau. He sold the chateau back to the Berk family from Dubá and Lipá.

In 1651, the chateau was inherited by František Antonín Berka, who had the local church of St. Vavřince, but there was not much money left to renovate the castle itself.

Everything did not change until 1718, when the owner of the chateau became Jan Jáchym Pachta from Rájov, whose successors rebuilt the chateau in 1755 in the spirit of the late Baroque using Rococo elements. The construction was led by architect Jan Josef Wirch, who participated in the work with Filip Heger at the end of the reconstruction.

The main axis of the castle is divided by a risalit and the facade itself is divided by several pilasters. Behind the risalit, there is a mirrored hall in the interior, located on the first floor of the chateau, equipped with high passages towards the balcony. Both shorter sides of the castle are terminated by low polygonal towers with a bell roof. Typical Rococo elements are asymmetrical stone vases, which end the corner and the triangular gable. There are alleys and a large park around the chateau.

In 1867, Karel von Palme became the owner of the chateau, shortly afterwards the knight Jindřich von Peteani, and subsequently the chateau was sold several more times before it became the property of František Mattausch, a Benešov factory owner. Further construction modifications of the chateau were then undertaken by his descendants, paying particular attention to the plow yard, farm buildings, new buildings, stables, sheds and barns.

At the end of 1900, the New Falkenburg castle was bought by Johann Mořic von Liebieg, who renovated the castle. At that time, he acquired stucco decoration, frescoes, a dining hall with sculptural decoration, a knight's hall and hunting halls, a chapel and, above all, the room of Marshal Radecký, with whom Johann Mořic was in distant favor.

In 1943, the castle was occupied by the Berlin Reichssicherheitshauptamt, and two years later the castle was confiscated by its then owner, Paul Ernest von Liebieg. In 1948, the ČSD Training Center was established here.

At present, the premises of the New Falkenburg Castle are used for the purposes of the Children's Home.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová