Vrchotovy Janovice (chateau)

At the castle you will also see an exhibition of bell-making

If you decide to visit, you will not regret it. You can see the remains of the original fortress - Gothic portals and cellars, in the interior there are paintings inspired by Greek mythology and wooden sculptures. It is also possible to visit the former chateau chapel from the 18th century. The Czech Bell Making exhibition will introduce you to the technology of making bells from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The castle park is also worth a visit, it was created by real gardening experts according to the wishes of the owners.

The castle as a center of culture and politics

The castle originated from the original Gothic water fortress from the 14th century. It has undergone reconstructions in all the following styles - elements of the Renaissance, Baroque and Romanticism can be seen. Perhaps the most important personality was the last owner of the chateau, Baroness Sidonie Nádherná, known as a patron of cultural and political life. Important personalities of their time met at the chateau, such as Karel Čapek, Adolf Loos, Alice Masaryková, Max Švabinský, Rainer Maria Rilke and others. During the war, the castle was used as a prison, the baroness was forced to emigrate after 1948 and her remains were transferred to the castle from England in 1999.

The castle was saved by the National Museum

After the expropriation of the castle in 1948, they used the premises of the army - Soviet and Czechoslovak. The castle would quickly fall into disrepair, but in 1958 the castle was acquired by the National Museum. It underwent the necessary repairs and was made available to the public. You can also visit the original park. You can also see interesting exhibitions - in addition to the already mentioned exhibition of Czech bell-making, also the exhibition Society in Bohemia in the 19th century or the exhibition dedicated to personalities who visited the castle - Rilke, Kraus and Vrchotovy Janovice.

Author: Helena Syslová