Our caravan tour of Bohemia and Moravia took us to Lednice-Valtice areaone of the most fascinating places in the whole country. Years later, I again entered the castle park in Lednice - and again I had the feeling that I was standing in a fairy tale.
Travel introduction or when a "day" has a different number of hours
Before I dive into History of the castle, I have to share a little parking story. We were looking for a quiet place to sleep with the caravan, preferably without the need for a campsite. Eventually we came across a nice yard right next to the castle where an older gentleman was offering parking for a hundred a day. The offer sounded great.
But the next day the price "magically" changed - the gentleman asked for another hundred, supposedly for the night. And when we were about to leave, he demanded a third payment. What can I say? I guess his day had a little less than 24 hours. But the parking was convenient, the view of the castle was breathtaking, and the bourbon at the local wine bar made up for it.
Photo: ANINA
The Miracle of Lednice - a pearl among Czech castles
Lednice Chateau is one of the the most visited monuments of the Czech Republic and its appearance is more reminiscent of an aristocratic mansion from English novels than a Moravian castle. Standing in front of its white towers and delicately decorated facade, you have the feeling that you are looking at lace work carved in stone.
The history goes back to 13th centurywhen a gothic water fortress stood here. In 1322 the estate fell into the hands of the Liechtenstein family, who lived in Lednice for more than six centuries. Over time, the fortress was transformed into a Renaissance chateau and later into a Baroque mansion surrounded by a French garden.
In the middle of the 19th century the castle underwent a major transformation. Architect Georg Wingelmüller gave the building its shape romantic English Neo-Gothicfull of battlements, turrets and delicate ornaments. Every detail looks as if it were made of lace - no wonder that tradition has it that a Liechtenstein noblewoman had a passion for embroidery, which is said to have influenced the architectural style of the rebuilding.
Photo: ANINA
Park, minaret and greenhouse: exoticism in South Moravia
In addition to the castle itself, the extensive castle parkwhich is literally a botanical gallery in the open air.
The dominant feature of the complex is minaret, the highest building of its kind in the Czech Republic. It was built in the years 1797-1804 Prince Alois I of Liechtenstein, designed by the architect Josef Hardmuth - incidentally the inventor of the classic pencil and founder of the KOH-I-NOOR.
Equally fascinating is the palm greenhouse from years 1843-1845, 92 metres long and ten metres high. The glass vault creates a warm climate full of tropical plants that you can visit even in winter when it is freezing outside.
Spindle staircase and castle treasures
During the tour we admired not only the famous interiors, but also spindle wooden staircase in the castle library - a technical and artistic marvel made from a single tree, without a single nail. The carved ornaments twist like vines and recall motifs from nature, which the Liechtensteins loved so much.
The guide was absolutely wonderful - she spoke with enthusiasm, humor and insight, and managed to bring history to life. Every room has a story: the silk wallpapered lounges, trophies from travels in Asia and Africa, the elegant bathrooms, dining rooms and ballrooms that once hosted European royalty.
Photo: ANINA
A short overview of the history of the castle
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13th century - creation of a gothic water fortress by the river Dyje
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1322 - the estate passes to the Liechtenstein family
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16th century - Renaissance reconstruction
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17th-18th century - Baroque modifications, creation of the park
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1846-1858 - reconstruction in the Neo-Gothic style (architect G. Wingelmüller)
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1939-1945 - partially closed during the war
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1945 - confiscated on the basis of the Benes Decrees
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1996 - The Lednice-Valtice area is listed on the list UNESCO
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Today - the castle is one of the most visited monuments in the Czech Republic
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, by Harold, license Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
Oriental minaret
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, by Alena Tučímová, license Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Refrigerator today: a combination of history and romance
Today's Lednice is more than just a castle. It's more than just living gallery of noble taste, a place where history mixes with art and tourism. In the former farm buildings you will find cafés, exhibitions and craft shops. The chateau park invites you to take long walks, picnics and cruise on the chateau pond.
Although the weather was not very good during our visit, it did not spoil the experience. The fridge simply charms in all weathers - whether because of its architectural beautyor thanks romantic charmfloating in the air.
Photo: ANINA
Spindle staircase in the castle library made from a single tree
Photo: ANINA
Lednice Castle is like a lace dream made of stone - charming, sophisticated and timeless. Every detail speaks of the wealth, elegance and sense of beauty that the Liechtensteins left behind.
If you're looking for a place that will transport you to another century while remaining perfectly Czech, Refrigerator is the ideal choice.
Sources: personal visit to the castle, the official website of the Lednice castle, the website of the Liechtenstein Historical Association, the Kudyznuda website.
https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minaret_(Lednicko-valtick%C3%BD_are%C3%A1l)
https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/clanek/archiv/tajemstvi-lednickeho-schodiste-architekt-se-zrejme-inspiroval-v-dansku-257071
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