The Karlova Koruna Chateau is considered to be one of the best Baroque chateaux in the Czech Republic. There is no other chateau like this. It was designed by one of the most prominent Baroque architects, Jan Santini Aichel. Today, you can take a tour of the chateau in the summer tourist season. You will learn about the history of the chateau as well as the history of the Kinský family that owns the chateau to this day.
The Karlova Koruna Chateau in Central Bohemia near Kutná Hora was built by Count František Ferdinand Kinský, the head chancellor, or prime minister, and the head huntsman of the Czech Kingdom, as his summer representative seat in 1721-1723.
The unusual name of the representative seat of the Kinský family – Karlova koruna (Charles Crown) – is based on the ground plan of the building that resembles a king’s crown. And why Charles? To honour a visit by Emperor Charles VI.
The architecture of the chateau in Chlumec nad Cidlinou is very unusual. It is a typical example of a building built along a radial centre. This system was brought to perfection by Santini when he built one of the churches, but here he applied it to the construction of a chateau. It was based on a circular plan that determines all ratios in the ground plan of the building. The construction is similar to the Church of St. Jan of Nepomuk in Zelená hora or the church in Křtiny. It is a very typical design for Santini. The Karlova Koruna chateau is unique because Santini applied procedures used for designing churches to a secular building. It makes the chateau unique in Europe.
The romantic rooms of the chateau create the perfect atmosphere for weddings and other ceremonies. The impressive dance hall with a unique round plan is ideal for wedding ceremonies. The chateau chapel located next to the chateau, however, is only for religious weddings.
Plasy Monastery
The unusual name of the representative seat of the Kinský family – Karlova koruna (Charles Crown) – is based on the ground plan of the building that resembles a king’s crown. And why Charles? To honour a visit by Emperor Charles VI.
Unique architecture
Baroque architect Jan Santini Aichel prepared the plans of the chateau and the construction was then managed by another famous Baroque builder, F. M. Kaňka. Aichel designed a lot of Baroque churches, chateaus and monasteries in the Czech lands. For example, he designed the reconstruction of the and the church in Žďár nad Sázavou, which is very unique and as such registered on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage.The architecture of the chateau in Chlumec nad Cidlinou is very unusual. It is a typical example of a building built along a radial centre. This system was brought to perfection by Santini when he built one of the churches, but here he applied it to the construction of a chateau. It was based on a circular plan that determines all ratios in the ground plan of the building. The construction is similar to the Church of St. Jan of Nepomuk in Zelená hora or the church in Křtiny. It is a very typical design for Santini. The Karlova Koruna chateau is unique because Santini applied procedures used for designing churches to a secular building. It makes the chateau unique in Europe.
The romantic rooms of the chateau create the perfect atmosphere for weddings and other ceremonies. The impressive dance hall with a unique round plan is ideal for wedding ceremonies. The chateau chapel located next to the chateau, however, is only for religious weddings.
Head huntsman of the Czech Kingdom
Chlumec and the Kinský family have been firmly adherent to the tradition of hunting par force and horse breeding. Hunting was one of the most popular entertainments of the nobility. The title of the head huntsman of the Czech Kingdom was very important as the bearer was responsible for the numbers of animals on royal estates and watched over the preparations of hunting par force with royal attendance. You can learn more about these tasks during a tour of the chateau.Plasy Monastery
Address
Pražská 1/IV, 503 51 Chlumec nad Cidlinou
