Kačina

The Kačina chateau was built by Jan Rudolf Chotek as his representative seat in the years 1806 - 1824. In order to suit the classicist aesthetics, he had to excel over his surroundings. Therefore, the only ridge in the area, called Kačiny, was chosen for its construction. In 1811, the construction had to be interrupted due to the Austrian state bankruptcy. Part of the theater with a chapel remained unfinished. Even so, in 1823, Chotek was able to move into the chateau. The theater was completed by Chotek's grandson, the chapel is unfinished to this day. During World War II, Nazi SS units and members of Hitler's youth were stationed here. The Agricultural Museum has had an exhibition space here since 1950, and after 1995 the original exhibitions were expanded to include a presentation of the life of various social classes in the 19th century. The chateau has been a National Cultural Monument since 2001.

The floor plan of the chateau is in the shape of an open horseshoe, in the middle of which is a two-storey central part with an open column hall with six columns with a tympanum. Here were the representative premises and dwellings of the count's family. It is connected on both sides by ground-floor residential wings, where there are guest rooms. One pavilion is connected to the wings on each side. On the right is the chateau theater and an unfinished chapel, and on the left is the Chotkov Library with more than 40,000 volumes of books.

The chateau is surrounded by an English chateau park, which was started before the chateau itself. Landscaping began as early as 1789. The Chotk family had a number of exotic woody plants imported here, so here you will find Tyrolean larch, chestnut trees, acacia and mulberry trees. Several artificial islands, summer castles and quiet corners were built in the park. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, a garden center was established here so that the chateau could be sufficiently supplied with flowers, fruit and vegetables.

The castle hosts the Castle Festival, the Old Bohemian Slaughterhouse Feast or the Confectionery Festival every year. Children are also welcome to celebrate their International Day here. You can also take a tour of the castle with the spirit of Rudla.

Author: Marie Bukovinská