Palazzo di Karlova Koruna

Nel corso di una visita guidata agli interni del palazzo barocco di Karlova Koruna conoscerete la storia della famiglia Kinský e l’allevamento dei cavalli. František Ferdinand Kinský ha fatto costruire la residenza secondo il progetto dell’architetto Jan Santini perché servisse da punto di partenza per la caccia al cervo, la sua preferita. Nel salone dunque non vi stupirete della presenza di una rispettabile collezione di trofei di caccia. Perché il palazzo si chiama “Karlova Koruna” (Corona di Carlo)? Se pensate che sia dovuto all’imperatore Carlo VI, siete sulla pista giusta. Ne saprete di più nel corso della visita guidata. Il palazzo costituisce un luogo ideale per la celebrazione di matrimoni civili e religiosi e per altri eventi.

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