Le château de Karlova Koruna

Lors de votre visite du château baroque de Karlova Koruna, vous découvrirez toute l’histoire de la dynastie des Kinský et de l’élevage des chevaux. François Ferdinand Kinský a fait construire cette demeure d’après les plans de l’architecte Giovanni Santini, comme point de départ pour la chasse à cour. Vous ne serez donc pas surpris de trouver une importante collection de trophées de chasse dans le petit salon. Et pourquoi le château s’appelle-t-il Karlova Koruna, ce qui signifie en tchèque la Couronne de Charles ? Si vous supposez que c’est à cause de l’empereur Charles IV, vous êtes sur la bonne voie. Vous en apprendrez davantage pendant la visite. Le château est également un lieu idéal pour organiser des mariages religieux ou civils ou tout autre événement.

The Karlova Koruna Chateau in Central Bohemia near Kutný 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.

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