Chateau Melnik
At the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe rivers, the Mělník chateau, visible from afar, will captivate you. Already during the 9th century, you would find a Slavic fortified settlement here, which was replaced by a medieval castle in later years. The castle was an important place for Czech queens, at first the widows of Czech princes and kings were housed here, later the town became the dowry town of queens. The last to live here were the wives of King George of Poděbrady, later it became the seat of several aristocratic families.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Chateau Melnik
The transformation into a Renaissance chateau took place in 1542. At this time, the north wing with a tower, arcades decorated with sgraffito was added and, most importantly, the building became a comfortable aristocratic residence. The Thirty Years' War was not a good time for the chateau, it was largely deserted and was stopped by the Černín family from Chudenice, who later bought it and underwent Baroque alterations. The current form dates from this period after reconstructions in the years 1685 - 1686. Thanks to the marriage, the Černín family later merged with the Lobkowicz family and owned the manor until 1938. Jiří Lobkowicz acquired the castle from the state in restitution and has been investing in reconstruction since 1992. .
Did you get curious to look at the castle interiors? You enter the chateau area through a Gothic gate and in the courtyard you can see various parts of different building architecture - from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The interior of the chateau contains family collections. The chapel of St. Ludmila, built thanks to the wife of Charles IV, Eliška Pomořanská. You can take a look at the master bedroom of Jiří Kristián Lobkowicz, who became a well-known car racer and athlete during his lifetime. The tour also shows August Longin's study, a children's room with an 18th-century bed, a dining room with Baroque altars, a knight's hall or a hall with a collection of views and maps from the 17th century.
From the castle viewpoint you will have a nice view of the mountain Říp, the Czech Central Mountains and the landscape around the confluence of the rivers Elbe and Vltava.
Author: Petra Nachtmanová