Kynžvart Castle is the former summer residence of the Austrian Chancellor Prince Clemens von Metternich. Among the exhibits there are items related to the Romanov family, as well as a cabinet of curiosities.

Castle Kynžvart (zámek Kynžvart), photo Stanislav Beznoska

Kynžvart castle (zámek Kynžvart) - monument national culture Czech Republic, one of the most beautiful in the Karlovy Vary Region, built in the style of classicism. It is located in the city, which is 7 km from the resort. The castle park in the English style is one of the largest in the Czech Republic.

Kynžvart castle owners

The history of the Kynžvart castle began in the 13th century. It is in this place Czech king Přemysl Otakar II built a guard fortress. At the end of the 14th century, the fortress was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, but after the Battle of White Mountain it was destroyed. The ruins were acquired by Johann Reinhard von Metternich and his brothers. In their place, in 1681-1691, a baroque castle with three wings and an inner courtyard appeared.

The western facade of the castle, photo by Jana Hrdinova

In 1818, Prince Clemens Metternich, Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Chancellor of the Austrian Empire, became the owner of the Kynžvart estate, who organized a major reconstruction of the castle. According to the prince's plan, the Italian architect Pietro Nobile rebuilt the castle in 1820-1839, which became an example of the Viennese classical style. Kynžvart Castle has been transformed into a luxurious summer residence.

The princely family Metternichs owned the Kynzvart castle until 1945. After the defeat of Germany, the command of the infantry division of the 3rd American Army under the command of Major General Clift Endrus was located here. In 1945 the castle was nationalized. In 1947 it was opened to the public. From 1976 to 1994, with the support of the European Union, a general reconstruction was carried out. In 1994, Kynzhvart was opened, at first partially, and since 2000 - completely. Today, the castle is managed by the State Institute for the Protection of Monuments, located in the city.

The park

Chapel of the Holy Cross in the park, photo by Jiří Pokorný

The castle is surrounded by a large English park of 100 hectares, in which valuable and rare species of trees grow and many romantic pavilions and pavilions, sculptures have been created. This architectural monument received an award from the Association for the Preservation of the Historical Heritage of Europe - Europa Nostra.

What to see

In the Kynžvart castle, visitors are shown the chancellor's study with a sliding table, a library, Big hall with sculptures by Antonio Canova, a smoking room, a castle chapel with four valuable altar icons and an armory.

Clemens Metternich created a private museum within the castle walls. Its first keeper was the executioner Karel Guss, whose collections of minerals, coins, weapons, manuscripts, historical rarities formed the basis of the collection, which was later supplemented by the prince.

An interesting cabinet of curiosities, where objects related to celebrities are exhibited - the prayer book of Marie Antoinette, the comb of Marie Theresa, the desk and chair of Alexander Dumas, the shoes of Pope Gregory XVI, the Turkish amulet of Lord Byron, archaeological finds from Egypt, Peru and other interesting curiosities.

In Kynzhvart, not only different eras but also different cultures were combined. The castle has an Egyptian hall, which contains objects donated to Metternich by the Egyptian governor of the king, Muhmad Ali. Among the most valuable items is a large black coffin with a gilded mask and an ancient Egyptian inscription on the belt. It contains the mummy of Ken Amor, an Egyptian priest who was caretaker of the treasure of Pharaoh Thutmose 3500 years ago. A brown coffin with a variegated pattern contains the mummy of another Egyptian priest, Pentahutra.

The collection of wooden chests and jewelry boxes made in Japan in the 16th - 18th centuries is complemented by Chinese and Japanese porcelain.

The Armory, located in the northern tower of the castle, houses a collection of 220 pieces of cold steel and firearms that were used in the 16th century. XIX centuries... There are also hunting weapons trimmed with ivory and mother-of-pearl.

And the castle library contains literature of the 18th - 19th centuries, among which there are very rare items. For example - a 24-volume description of Egypt - the only fully preserved copy in the country.

Excursions

The castle offers 5 excursions.

I. Zámecké interiéry Metternichů

Duration 45 min.

A full ticket costs 120 Kč;
concessionary - 80 Kč;
family - 320 Kč;
children under 6 years old - free.

II. Museum and cabinet of curiosities (Muzeum a kabinet kuriozit)

Duration 45 min.

Full ticket - 120 Kč;
concessionary - 80 Kč;
family - 320 Kč;
children under 6 years old - free.

III. Under the crowns of trees (Pod korunami stromů)

Duration 60 min.

Full ticket - 60 Kč;
concessionary - 40 Kč;
family - 160 CZK.

IV. Children's excursion (Dětská prohlídka)

Duration 30 min.

Full ticket - 80 Kč;
concessionary - 50 Kč;

V. Barrier-free castle (Bezbariérový zámek)

Duration 30 min.

Full ticket - 90 Kč;
concessionary - 60 Kč;
children under 6 years old - free.

Before visiting the castle, check the ticket prices and opening hours.

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Tourist information service

Kynžvart Castle is one of the oldest in the Czech Republic. It was built on site ancient fortress, which was built in the XIII century. The citadel was built in the most dangerous place- Slavkovsky forest, where robbers often hunted in those days.

Since 1681, the castle passed into the ownership of the wealthy Metternich family and until 1945 did not change its owners.

The austere, solid castle was rebuilt in the classical style in 1820-1839 by order of the Chancellor of the Emperor himself - Herr Metternich-Winneburg. This structure was intended to emphasize the influence and weight of the prince in front of other nobles. The castle fully met the expectations of its owner. It is devoid of frivolous decor, in some way even ascetic, strictly proportional and symmetrical.

The Mitternich family lost all their property, including this comfortable castle, which housed family treasures, as well as a collection of various objects, in 1945. Since then, the castle has been open to the public. It houses a museum.

Visitors will be interested in visiting the cabinet, which contains the things that belonged to famous people. There you can see Byron's pendant, Marie Antoinette's Bible, and so on.

The castle is surrounded by a splendid English-style park. The greenery of the lawns is in good harmony with the light façade and the tiles of a discreet color. The park is home to imposing century-old trees, shade also promises romantic carved pavilions, the pond reflects the blue of the sky and serves as a residence for ducks.

There is a golf course in a secluded corner of the park.

Castles of West Bohemia

Kynžvart castle in the Empire style

About 50 kilometers south-west of Karlovy Vary, on the very border with Germany, is the small town of Lazne Kynžvart, which houses one of the most striking castles in the Czech Empire in the Empire style - Czech castle Kynzvart.

STORY

Czech castle Kynzvart first mentioned in chronicles in the 13th century, it was then on this site, on the orders of King Přemysl Otakar II, that a small Czech fortress in the Gothic style was built to protect the western borders. At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. True, in this form, the Kynzhvart castle did not last long, after the destructive Thirty Years War, only ruins remained in its place, in the place of which new owner Count Philip Emerich von Metternich built a baroque castle in 1681-1691.

A descendant of Philippe Emerich, Clemens Lothar von Metternich, the first chancellor of the Austrian Empire in 1821-1848, made the Kynžvart castle his main residence, rebuilding it in the then fashionable "imperial" (Empire) style. The reconstruction of the Kynžvart castle, carried out under the direction of the Viennese architect of Italian origin, Pietro Nobile, led to the emergence of a practical new castle, completely hiding the original baroque appearance. During the time of Clemens von Metternich Czech castle Kynzvart was the center cultural life Western Bohemia, the famous Czech writer Adalbert Stifter lived here, Johann Wolfgang Goethe often visited.

Owned by the Metternichs Czech castle Kynzvart was until 1945, for the next two years the headquarters of the third American army and the US embassy were located in the castle. And finally, from 1947 to the present, the Czech castle Kynzvart has been owned by the Czech state, from 1976 to 1994, a general reconstruction was carried out, after which this Czech castle reopened its doors to visitors.

INTERESTING FACTS

Clemens von Metternich

Clemens von Metternich (1773-1859) - Austrian diplomat and politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Austrian Empire in 1809-48. During the Napoleonic wars, he became one of the most influential and skillful diplomats of that time. Under his leadership, the Vienna Congress of 1814-15 was held, which determined the new structure of Europe after the victory over Napoleon. And Austria, which was defeated in almost all battles, moving from one coalition to another (in 1812, the Austrian units even participated in Napoleon's campaign in Russia, although they were in the anti-French coalition before and after this war), received practically the largest territorial gains thanks to the diplomatic art of von Metternich.

Later, until his resignation in 1848, von Metternich remained a pillar of reaction in Europe, pursuing a policy aimed at suppressing any free thought, supporting the system of absolutism with all his might. With his active participation, student movements in Germany were suppressed, the introduction of constitutions in those states where they had not yet been adopted was delayed. Constitutional movements in Italy and Spain were suppressed by force of arms, and it took the liberation movement against Turkish rule in Greece six years to achieve the formation of an independent Greek state, which Metternich also strongly opposed.

And only the whirlwind of the European revolutions of 1848 forced this brilliant reactionary to resign, von Metternich even had to go into hiding and then flee to Great Britain. True, already in 1852 he returned to Vienna and took up his former high position in society, Emperor Franz Joseph I often turned to him for advice, however, von Metternich no longer received official posts.

WHAT TO SEE

In the Czech castle Kynzvart, twenty-five rooms are open for viewing. Among them there are both the solemn Empire Malachite, Blue (Napoleonic) and Staircase Halls, as well as small but charming dark living room, the Chancellor's office with a folding table used during the Vienna Congress of 1814-15. The Green Hall houses a gallery of portraits of the Habsburgs and representatives of the Metternich family. the billiard room is famous for its Russian billiards, donated by the Russian emperor Nicholas I.

Also of interest are the castle armory with a collection of more than 220 items of cold steel and firearms, a Renaissance-style smoking salon, the Great Hall with sculptures by Antonio Canova. In the chapel of the Kynžvart castle, in the marble altar, there are the relics of St. Boniface (a gift from Pope Gregory XVI). And, of course, the library of Chancellor von Metternich with more than 24,000 rare old books, which is the largest aristocratic library in the Czech Republic, is of great interest. One of the most popular places The Czech Kynzvart castle is a cabinet of curiosities - many objects associated with famous people are collected here - the crest of Maria Theresa, the shoes of Pope Gregory XVI, the prayer book of Maria Antoinette, the desk and chair of Alexander Dumas, the Turkish amulet of Lord Byron, archaeological finds from Pompeii, Peru, Egypt (there is even a mummy) and many other interesting rarities.

After exploring the interiors of the Czech castle Kynžvart, do not forget to stroll along the alleys of the castle park - also a masterpiece of classicism, but already of landscape art, created by the Viennese designer Riedl under the direction of Clemens von Metternich. Located on an area of ​​100 hectares, the Kynzvart castle park is one of the largest in the Czech Republic, three rivers flow through it, several ponds are built, the chapel of St. Kříž, and the statue of the goddess Diana. There is also a poultry house for birds of prey injured in nature.

The Czech Kynžvart Castle is open to visitors, like most Czech castles, from April to October every day, except Mondays, according to the following schedule:

In April and October only open on Saturdays and Sundays. it is possible to visit in February, March and November, but only by prior arrangement. Moreover, for groups of up to 25 people, the total cost of the excursion is 4250 Crown ( 190 Euro). At normal times, the admission ticket price is 150 CZK for an adult, 90 CZK for a child from 6 to 15 years old and 390 CZK- family ticket.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

To get there by car, drive west from Karlovy Vary on the motorway 6 (E48), after 40 kilometers use the exit 162 on the road 21 in the direction of Plan, Marianske Lazne ( Plana, Marianske Lazne), after 14 kilometers, turn left following the signs to the castle and Lazne Kynžvart, follow the signs and drive about 2 more kilometers along this road, the Kynžvart castle will be on the right side of the road, parking is right next to the castle.

The Czech castle Kynzvart was first mentioned in the chronicles in the 13th century, when on this place, by order of King Přemysl Otakar II, a small Czech fortress in the Gothic style was built to protect the western borders. At the end of the 16th century, the fortress was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. True, in this form, the Kynzvart castle did not last long, after the destructive Thirty Years War, only ruins remained in its place, in the place of which the new owner Count Philip Emerich von Metternich built a baroque castle in 1681-1691.

A descendant of Philippe Emerich, Clemens Lothar von Metternich, the first chancellor of the Austrian Empire in 1821-1848, made the Kynžvart castle his main residence, rebuilding it in the then fashionable "imperial" (Empire) style. The reconstruction of the Kynžvart castle, carried out under the direction of the Viennese architect of Italian origin, Pietro Nobile, led to the emergence of a practical new castle, completely hiding the original baroque appearance. At the time of Clemens von Metternich, the Czech castle Kynzvart was the center of the cultural life of Western Bohemia, the famous Czech writer Adalbert Stifter lived here, Johann Wolfgang Goethe often visited.

The Metternichs owned the Czech castle Kynzvart until 1945, for the next two years the headquarters of the third American army and the US embassy were located in the castle. And finally, from 1947 to the present, the Czech castle Kynzvart has been owned by the Czech state, from 1976 to 1994, a general reconstruction was carried out, after which this Czech castle reopened its doors to visitors.

In the Czech castle Kynzvart, twenty-five rooms are open for viewing. Among them there are both the solemn Empire Malachite, Blue (Napoleonic) and Staircase Halls, as well as small but charming dark living room, the Chancellor's office with a folding table used during the Vienna Congress of 1814-15. The Green Hall houses a gallery of portraits of the Habsburgs and representatives of the Metternich family. the billiard room is famous for its Russian billiards, donated by the Russian emperor Nicholas I.

Also of interest are the castle armory with a collection of more than 220 items of cold steel and firearms, a Renaissance-style smoking salon, the Great Hall with sculptures by Antonio Canova. In the chapel of the Kynžvart castle, in the marble altar, there are the relics of St. Boniface (a gift from Pope Gregory XVI). And, of course, the library of Chancellor von Metternich with more than 24,000 rare old books, which is the largest aristocratic library in the Czech Republic, is of great interest. One of the most popular places of the Czech Kynzvart castle is the Kunstkamera - many items related to famous people are collected here - the crest of Maria Theresa, the shoes of Pope Gregory XVI, the prayer book of Marie Antoinette, the desk and chair of Alexander Dumas, the Turkish amulet of Lord Byron, archaeological finds from Pompey, Peru, Egypt (there is even a mummy) and many other interesting curiosities.

After exploring the interiors of the Czech castle Kynžvart, do not forget to stroll along the alleys of the castle park - also a masterpiece of classicism, but already of landscape art, created by the Viennese designer Riedl under the direction of Clemens von Metternich. Located on an area of ​​100 hectares, the park of the Kynzvart castle is one of the largest in the Czech Republic, three rivers flow through it, several ponds are arranged, the chapel of St. Kříž, and the statue of the goddess Diana. There is also a poultry house for birds of prey injured in nature.

The Czech Kynžvart Castle is open to visitors, like most Czech castles, from April to October every day, except Mondays, according to the following schedule:

Opening hours

April-June, September, October

July August

In April and October only open on Saturdays and Sundays. it is possible to visit in February, March and November, but only by prior arrangement. At the same time, for groups of up to 25 people, the total cost of the excursion is 4250 CZK (190 Euro). At normal times the price entrance ticket is 150 CZK for an adult, 90 CZK for a child from 6 to 15 years old and 390 CZK for a family ticket.

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