Czech Castles

Krakovec Castle

2009-03-20T11:46:00.003+01:00

Krakovec Castle (hrad Krakovec in Czech) was built between 1381 and 1383 for Jira of Roztoky (Jíra z Roztok). In its times it was a unique piece of late Gothic architecture, because its defence features were suppressed in favour of luxurious housing functions. Renaissance gables were added in the 16th century. Krakovec Castle was completely damaged by the fire in 1783 and now only its ruins remain.

How to get there

Krakovec is a small village about 70 Km from Prague and 50 Km from Plzen (Pilsen). The closest town is Rakovník that can be reached from Prague by bus (1 hour ride). Another bus route connects Rakovník and Krakovec (30 minutes). It may be a good idea to visit Krakovec and Krivoklat Castle within one day.

And the world's largest castle is...

2009-03-14T23:40:00.005+01:00

A lot of guide books present Prague Castle as the largest castle in the world. England claims the record for Windsor Castle and Wikipedia declares Malbork the winner. So where is the truth?

The first question is, what the word largest mean. A floor area was probably measured in Windsor and Prague, but it doesn't make sense for Malbork or any other castle that is not so well preserved. Moreover I have not detailed blueprints of all large castles, so I can't compare the floor area. That's why I picked another method.

I've outlined an area enclosed by castle walls of nine castles in Google Maps. Here is the user map with all nine shapes. Then I've used the KML Area Calculator to calculate the size. And this is the top five list:

Malbork (Poland) -- Frommers claims nearly 52 acres (210,437 square metres). Polish Wikipedia states a cubic capacity of 250,000 m3 and no area, what is rather strange. The area drawn by me is 143,591 square metres large -- enough to declare Malbork the largest castle of the world.
Prague Castle (Czech Republic) is the largest castle in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Sources varies between 72,762 and 74,100 square metres (17.98 and 18.31 acres). The result of my calculation is only 66,761 square metres.
Burghausen (Germany) is a surprising number 3. With its length of 1,034 metres it is widely known to be the longest European castle, but its area is not so small as well -- according to my calculation it totals 56,810 square metres, what is almost 2,000 metres more than Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle (England, UK) is considered the largest inhabited castle in the world by many sources. Its floor area is approximately 484,000 square feet (44,965 square metres) according to Wikipedia. Another sources claim 13 acres (52,609 square metres), what is closer to my finding: 54,835 square metres. And because Prague castle is inhabited as well, Windsor is hardly the largest one.
Festung Hohensalzburg or Salzburg Castle (Austria) is with a length of 250 metres and a width of 150 metres definitely one of the biggest medieval castles in Europe, but my calculation shows it is not the largest one. Its area has 54,523 square metres.

I'm including another four castles just for reference. They are not serious competitors except Moscow Kremlin, which is usually not considered a real castle though.

Spišský hrad (Slovakia) -- Slovaks often claim Spissky Hrad is one of the biggest castles in Central Europe, so I've checked it out too. The result is 49,485 square metres and the number 6 in my list.
Himeji Castle (Japan) -- can't be Asian castles bigger than European ones? I've outlined the area of the largest Japanes castle Himeji and it has 41,468 square metres only.
Kenilworth Castle (England, UK) was one of the candidates too, but its 32,673 square metres can't compete with another ones.
Moscow Kremlin (Russia) is included just for comparison, because it is rather a citadel than a castle, however its size is definitely huge -- 269,568 square metres, almost twice as large as Malbork and five times larger than Windsor Castle.

And finally the top five castles' shapes -- all in the same scale for easier comparison and linking to the particular place on Google Maps. If you want to check out the real location of the walls, I recommend to switch the map view to Satellite.

	Malbork Area: 143,591 sq. m Perimeter: 1,737 m
	Prague Area: 66,761 sq. m Perimeter: 1,633 m
	Burghausen Area: 56,810 sq. m Perimeter: 2,481 m
	Windsor Area: 54,835 sq. m Perimeter: 1,371 m
	Hohensalzburg Area: 54,523 sq. m Perimeter: 1,595 m
	Moscow Kremlin Area: 269,568 sq. m Perimeter: 2,517 m

Amazon.com Widgets

Podebrady Castle

2008-03-02T12:32:00.002+01:00

Poděbrady is a spa town located in Central Bohemia, on the Labe (Elbe) river 50 Km east of Prague. It's known not only for its spa (Lázně Poděbrady), mineral water (Poděbradka) and a golf club, but also as a birthplace of the Czech king George of Poděbrady.

The first fortified seat was founded in Poděbrady already in the first half of the 12th century. A stone castle in the Gothic style surrounded by Labe's water was build in the 13th century, during the reign of the king Přemysl Otakar II, who resided here occasionally.

Lords of Kunštát became the new owners of the Poděbrady castle in 1361 and they rebuilt it and extended its fortification. In the 2nd half of the 16th century the castle was rebuilt by an Italian architect G. B. Aostalli de Sala as a Renaissance chateau. The last reconstruction added late Baroque fortification elements in the 2nd half of the 18th century.

How to get there

The town of Poděbrady is located 50 Km east of Prague, close to the highway D11 connecting Prague and Hradec Králové. A drive from Prague takes about 30 minutes. You can also go by bus (about 40 minutes) or by train (about 1h20).

Konopiste Castle

2007-08-29T03:47:00.005+02:00

Konopiste Castle (Zámek Konopiště) was founded at the end of 13th century probably by the bishop Tobias from Benesov. Originally the medieval castle in French Gothic style was later rebuilt into a Baroque chateau by the Vrtbas from Vrtba. Its current look is a result of the last renovation made by Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, the successor to the Austro-Hungarian throne, who bought the castle from the Lobkowitzs in 1887.

Before his assassination in 1914 that started WW I, Ferdinand d'Este lived in Konopiste and gathered here a large collection of hunting trophies, weapons, antique furniture, paintings, tapestry and other art objects. This collection is now the main attraction of the castle, along with a large castle garden and a pair of bears living in a castle moat.

More Photos

The photo above was taken in June 2009 and shows the Konopiste Castle across a large pond that is a part of the castle garden. A wider view across the pond shows the next picture:

How to get there

Konopiste is located about 45-minut drive (50 Km) from Prague -- see directions and a map. You can also go by train from Prague Main Railway Station to Benešov u Prahy (about one hour) and then follow the red hiking trail (less than 3 Km through a beautiful castle park).

Lichnice Castle (Lichtenburg)

2006-08-27T22:15:00.002+02:00

Lichnice is an early Gothic castle built in 1250 by Smil from Zitava, who later changed his name to "from Svetlik" or "from Lichtenburg" in German. The castle was enlarged in the 15th century, rebuilt in the 16th century, demolished after the Thirty Years' War and deserted. Now only the ruins remain, but they are well preserved and quite spectacular.

The ruins of the Lichnice castle are located on the rocky hill above the Lovetinska gorge and the village of Podhradi in Zelezne Hory (Iron Mountains) -- a mid-size natural reserve situated North of the town of Chrudim in Pardubicky region. Besides the old ruins you can enjoy wonderful views from the top of the hill as well as beautiful nature all around.

More photos

Main gate of the Lichnice castle as viewed from inner courtyard:

View over the ruins of Lichnice towards Čáslav:

View of the ruins from outside:

The title photo shows the main entrance to the castle courtyard. All photos were taken in August 2006 by me (Marek Prokop) and are licensed under - Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License.

How to get there

Lichnice is not very accessible by public transport. The closest towns with regular bus or train service are Čáslav (20 Km) and Heřmanův Městec (13 Km). There is a small local railway from Čáslav to Třemošnice (3 Km).

Lichnice, Lichtenburg, Zelezne Hory, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, Gothic, architecture

Zbraslav Chateau

2006-07-02T13:20:00.003+02:00

Zbraslav is located at the confluence of the rivers Vltava and Berounka about 12 Km South of the Prague city centre. In 1292 Czech king Wenceslas II founded a Cistercian monastery here and named it Aula Regia (Kings' hall), because he wished it to become a new burial place of Bohemian kings.

Members of the Premislid royal family was buried here during 14th century, the last one was king Wenceslas IV in 1419. Then, in 1420, the Zbraslav monastery and the church of Our Lady with its royal tombs were destroyed by the Hussites.

A new era of the Zbraslav cloister started in the early 18th century, when abbot Wolfgang Lochner called the famous architect Giovanni Santini Aichel to design a new complex of buildings in Baroque style. This work was completed by Frantisek Maxmilian Kanka in 1732.

In 1785 the monastery was abolished and Zbraslav became the property of Walloon noble Joseph de Souvaige, who established a sugar refinery here. Prince Fridrich Öttingen-Wallerstein acquired Zbraslav in the beginning of the 19th century and made it his residence. Since then we speak about the Zbraslav chateau or castle rather than monastery.

The last owners of the Zbraslav chateau have been the Bartons of Dobenin family, who still live here. A part of the chateau is used by the Czech National Gallery since 1939 and houses a permanent exhibition of Asian art.

The photos

The photo above shows the detail of the Zbraslav Chateau's northern front. The photo below was taken from the same place and includes more of the castle garden. I took both pictures in July 2006.

How to get there

Zbraslav is a quarter of Prague now, located on its southern edge along the Vltava Rivere. You can get there from Smíchovské nádrazí (Metro yellow line B) by buses No. 129, 241, 243, 255, 314, 318 or 390 to Zbraslavské námesti, or from Jizní Mesto or Radotín by bus No. 165.

Zbraslav, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, monastery, Baroque, architecture, Santini, Kanka

Hluboka Chateau

2006-06-11T12:57:00.000+02:00

Hluboka Chateau is located in the town of Hluboka nad Vltavou few kilometres from Ceske Budejovice, the capital of Southern Bohemia and the home of famous Budweiser Bier (Budvar).

Early Gothic castle was built here around 1250. In 1562 King Ferdinand I sold Hluboka to the Lords of Hradec who changed the castle into a Renaissance stately home. A century later the Hluboka estate was bought by Jan Adolf I of Schwarzenberg. His grandson Prince Adam Frantisek had the chateau rebuilt in Baroque style by P. I. Bayer and his successor E. Martinelli at the beginning of the 18th century.

In the 2nd half of the 19th century Prince Jan Adolf II with his wife Eleonora ordered the last reconstruction. They invited a Viennese architect Franz Beer, who changed the chateau's Baroque style into the picturesque style of Tudor Gothic. After Beer's death another architect, Ferdinand Deworetsky, completed the reconstruction in 1871.

The Hluboka Chateau if open to public (for fee) from April to October. The large English style park surrounding the chateau is open to public for free all the year.

The photo was taken in June 2006.

Tags: Hluboka, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, gothic, tudor gothic, architecture, Schwarzenberg

Okor Castle

2006-02-26T13:05:00.000+01:00

The extent ruins of the Okor Castle (hrad Okoř) are located north-west of Prague, just about 15 Km (as the crow flies) from the city centre. That's why it's a popular trip destination of Prague inhabitants.

The Okor village is first mentioned in 1228 as a property of St George Monastery in Prague Castle (klášter sv. Jiří na Pražském hradě). A Gothic castle was built here in 1359 by a wealthy burgher of Prague's Old Town Frantisek Rokycansky, what was quite unusual in those times, when most castles were built by noblemen.

In 15th and 16th centuries The Okor Castle was extended and rebuilt in the late Gothic (around 1494) and Renaissance (by the Martinic family around 1590) styles. In the 17th century the castle was owned by Jesuits, during the Thirty Year’s War it was heavily damaged and then restored in the Baroque style. After the Jesuit order was discontinued in Bohemia, the Okor castle was deserted in the late 18th century and quickly changed to ruins.

The photo was taken in February 2006.

Tags: Okor, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, ruins, gothic, architecture

Cesky Sternberk castle

2006-02-22T16:23:00.006+01:00

Cesky Sternberk (Český Šternberk) is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the Czech Republic. It is situated on a high cliff above the Sazava river and the village of the same name, about 45 Km South-east of Prague.

The castle was founded in 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov and it keeps its early Gothic look and feel up to these days. It was conquered by Jiri of Podebrady in 1467, damaged in 1627 and reconstructed in the second half of 17th century. Its current interiors are designed in the late gothic and early baroque styles, and are richly decorated with stucco works.

The Sternberk castle is still owned by the Sternbergs family and offers an interesting exposition of castle-living style.

Photos

The photo above was taken in April 2008 and shows the northern part of the castle above the Sazava river. The photo below includes a part of the Šternberk village and was also taken in April 2008.

In the next photo there is an old tower that is located east of the castle outside its walls.

How to get there

The village of Český Šternberk is located about 45 Km South-east of Prague. If you go by car, follow the D1 highway and leave it on Exit 41. Bus connections are available from Prague and Benešov. There is also a scenic railroad from Čerčany (accessible by train from Prague or Benešov) to Šternberk or from Světlá nad Sázavou. The train ride along the Sázava river is quite slow (2 hours) but beautiful.

Jemniste - New Chateau

2006-01-17T01:49:00.000+01:00

Jemniste (Jemniště) is a small village in Central Bohemia between Vlasim (Vlašim) and Benesov (Benešov), about 40 Km south-east from Prague. It was first mentioned in 1381 as a property of Beneš of Cimburk.

Count František Adam of Trauttmansdorff bought Jemniste in 1717 and built a new chateau there in 1724 at a hillock near the old castle. The plans of the chateau was designed by the Czech architect František Maxmilián Kaňka.

The Jemniště chateau is owned by the Sternbergs family and you can read more about its history on its home page.

The photo was taken in January 2006.

Tags: Jemniste, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, architecture, Kanka

Pirkstejn

2006-01-09T23:18:00.002+01:00

Pirkštejn (Pirkenstein) castle was established in the 1st half of the 14th century by Jindrich from Lipa. It was damaged during peasant revolt in 1627 and later was rebuilt as a clergyman's house and a bell tower by Count Kinski.

Photos

The photo above shows the castle's tower and its western wall. The photo below shows the castle from south-east. Both photos were taken in March 2008.

How to get there

The Pirkstejn Castle is located in a small town of Rataje nad Sázavou in Central Bohemia, about 40 Km south-east of Prague. You can get there by train from Prague (across Čerčany) or from Světlá nad Sázavou. The train ride along the Sázava river is quite long (2 hours) but beautiful.

Being in Pirkštejn, you should visit Český Šternberk as well -- it's located about 7 Km from Rataje on the same railroad.

Tags: Pirkstejn, Pirkenstein, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, gothic, architecture

Ricany Castle

2006-01-01T16:07:00.000+01:00

Ricany is a small town on the sousth-eastern edge of Prague. The Gothic castle was established here in the late 13th century by Ondrej from Vsechromy, who then adopted the name "from Ricany". Lords from Ricany held the castle till 1420, when it was won by Hussites and became the property of the Prague towns. Since 16th century the castle was desolate and now only ruins remain.

The photo was taken in December 2006.

Tags: Ricany, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, gothic, architecture, Hussites

Budyne nad Ohri

2005-12-29T02:36:00.000+01:00

There was a fortified farmstead in Budyně nad Ohří (Budyne above the river Ohre) since the 13th century. Zbynek from Valdek and Hazmburk received it from the king Jan Luxemburg in 1336 and Jan Zajic from Hazmburk built a late Gothic water castle here in the second half of the 15th century. In the 2nd half of the 16th century the castle was rebuilt in Renaissance style and in 1823 its tower and part of other buildings were destroyed.

The castle is restored now and open to public. Budyne is located in Northern Bohemia about 10 Km south-west of Roudnice nad Labem.

The picture is made of two frames stitched together and it was taken in November 2005.

Tags: Budyne, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, architecture, gothic, renaissance

Troja Castle

2005-12-05T00:33:00.000+01:00

Troja castle was built in Baroque style by S. Carlone as a summer seat for Vaclav Vojtech, Count of Sternberk in 1679 - 1685. Original ground plan comes from G. D. Orsi, castle buildings were designed by Jean Baptiste Mathey. Sculptures on the garden staircase were made by Dresden sculptors J. J. and P. Herrmann.

The castle is located in Troja quarter, the part of Prague 8 district, in close neighbourhood of Prague ZOO. It is owned by the City Gallery of Prague and there is a permanent exhibition of Czech art of the 19th century in it.

The photo was taken in February 2005.

Tags: Troja, Prague, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, architecture, Carlone, Orsi, Mathey

Krivoklat Castle

2005-11-26T14:23:00.001+01:00

Krivoklat Castle is located about 40 km west of Prague. It was built in the late 13th century as a hunting lodge, a weekend getaway for the Premyslid Princes and the seat of the royal master of hounds. Later, Wenceslas I built a stone castle on the spot and Charles IV used it in the 14th century.

Krivoklat Castle is located about 40 km west of Prague. It was built here in the 13th century during the rule of Premysl Otakar II as a summer seat and hunting lodge for royalty. In 1422 the Krivoklat Castle was damaged by Hussites and later, in the years 1493 - 1522, restored by King Vladislav Jagiello, who built the vaulted Gothic hall that has many resemblances with the famous Vladislav Hall at the Prague Castle.

Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. spent his early childhood here before being sent off to France. Habsburgs used the Krivoklat Castle as a prison. In its round tower English alchemist Edward Kelley was incarcerated for two and a half years for failing to reveal the secret of the philosopher's stone to Rudolf II.

Current appearance of the Krivoklat Castle dates from 1826, when the Furstenberg family extensively restored it after a fire. The reconstruction was made by Czech architects Joseph Mocker and Karel Hilbert.

The photo was taken in November 2005.

Tags: Krivoklat, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, gothic, architecture, Premysl, Charles IV, Vladislav Jagiello, Furstenbergs, Joseph Mocker, Karel Hilbert

Kasperk castle

2005-11-23T17:10:00.000+01:00

Well preserved ruins of the Kasperk castle (other names: Karlsberg, Karlberg) on the rock spit above the Otava river about 3 km south of the small town Kasperske Hory. It is the highest situated royal castle in Bohemia (887 m a.s.l.).

The Kasperk castle was established by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV to protect the gold mines in the surroundings of the town Kasperske Hory as well as the old route to Bohemia from Bavaria.

Founded in 1356 and finished in 1361, Kasperk cstle is a great example of Gothic defence architecture with residential palace situated between two towers. It was plundered in the 17th century, but partly reconstructed again in the 19th century. Now only a part of the fortification, palace with both towers, and the western gate have been preserved.

The photo was taken in September 2005.

Tags: Kasperk, Karlsberg, Kasperske Hory, Sumava, Böhmerwald, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, gothic, architecture, Charles IV

Chlumec nad Cidlinou

2005-11-21T02:02:00.000+01:00

Chateau Karlova Koruna (Charles's Crown) in Chlumec nad Cidlinou was built as the summer-seat of Count Frantisek Ferdinand Kinsky (the Kinsky family still own it), the First Chancellor of the Kingdom of Bohemia, in 1721-23. The building was designed by Jan Santini Aichel and it is his masterpiece. Building works were directed by the Prague architect Frantisek Maxmilian Kanka. Ground-plan reminding the royal crown is quite unique. It consists of a cylindrical core with three wings each of three rooms with square floors.

The photo was taken in August 2005.

Tags: Karlova Koruna, Chlumec, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, architecture, Kinsky, Santini, Kanka

Vysehrad - Leopold Gate

2005-11-21T01:42:00.000+01:00

Vysehrad Castle was founded in 1085 by the Czech king Vratislav II in place of older hill fort situated on a cliff top above the Vltava River against the Prague Castle. From the mid-17th century Vysehrad changed to a Baroque fortress and in 1883 it became a part of the city of Prague.

The photo shows the Leopold Gate built in 1670 and situated in the easter part of the Vysehrad's Baroque fortifications. My previous post shows the Brick Gate in nothern ramparts.

By the way, you may remember the Leopold Gate from the Forman's Amadeus, where it was used at the end of the movie after Mozart's funeral.

Tags: Vysehrad, Prague, Czech Republic, gate, fortress, baroque, architecture

Vysehrad - The Brick Gate

2005-11-21T01:31:00.000+01:00

The photo shows the classicist Cihelna Gate (Brick Gate, sometimes called Prague Gate too). Completed in 1842, it is the newest addition to the older Baroque fortification of the Vysehrad fortress.

My next post shows another part of the Vysehrad's fortification -- the Leopold Gate.

Tags: Vysehrad, Prague, Czech Republic, gate, fortress, classicism, architecture

Kostelec Chateau from the garden

2005-11-21T00:24:00.000+01:00

Kostelec chateau, originally a medieval castle of Smiricky family, was rebuilt in renaissance style after the fire in 1549 by Italian architect Ulrico Aostalli. After the Thirty Years' War the chateau became a property of the Lichtensteins and was partially rebuilt in Baroque style by Josef Jäger in 1759. Now it's owned by the forestry university.

Kostelec nad Cernymi lesy (Kostelec above Black Forests) is a small town located in Central Bohemia about 25km south-east of Prague.

The photo was taken in June 2005 in the castle's garden and shows the northern front of the castle. My previous post shows the southern front of the Kostelec Castle.

Tags: Kostelec, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, Ulrico Aostalli, architecture

Kostelec nad Cernymi lesy

2005-11-21T00:10:00.000+01:00

Kostelec nad Cernymi lesy (Kostelec above Black Forests) is a small town located in Central Bohemia about 25km south-east of Prague. Its main attraction is a chateau that used to be a hunting castle of Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I.

The photo was taken in June 2005 and shows the southern front of the castle with its main entrance surrounded by a ditch and a big barbican. My next post shows the northern front of the Kostelec Castle facing to its garden.

Tags: Kostelec, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, Ulrico Aostalli, architecture

Namest nad Oslavou

2005-11-20T23:39:00.000+01:00

Namest nad Oslavou (Namest on the Oslava River) is a small town in Southern Moravia, 40Km west of Brno. The Gothic castle above the Oslava river was built in the mid-thirteenth century and between 1565-1578 it was rebuilt into a Renaissance-style chateau, probably according to a plan by architect Gialdi.

Read more information on Namest nad Oslavou in the town's web site.

The photo was taken in April 2005.

Tags: Namest, Moravia, Czech Republic, chateau, renaissance, Gialdi, architecture

Trebic Castle

2005-11-20T23:17:00.000+01:00

Formerly a Benedictine abbey founded in 1101 by the Moravian Przemyslides was rebuilt into an aristocratic palace in the 16th century. The highlight of the castle (and former monastery) is St. Procopius´ Basilica placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its design represents a transition between the Romanesque and the Gothic style and was influenced by a late-Romanesque building school that had come to this region from southwestern France.

The photo was taken in April 2005 from the bank of the Jihlava river.

Tags: Trebic, Moravia, Czech Republic, chateau, romanesque, gothic, renaissance, World Heritage, architecture

Slavkov Chateau

2005-11-20T22:35:00.000+01:00

Slavkov (or Austerlitz in German) is a small town near Brno in Southern Moravia. It is known due to the famous battle of three emperors that took place near there in December 2nd 1805. The Russian Tsar Alexander I and the Austrian Emperor Franz I -- the two defeated emperors -- stayed in the castle before the battle, while the French Emperor Napoleon -- the winner -- chose it for his temporary seat after the battle finished.

The castle was founded by the Kounic family in 16th century. In the end of the 17th century it was redesigned by Italian architect Domenico Martinelli on the basis of Enrico Zuccali's plans. Building was carried out by Vaclav Petruzzi, probably with the help of Austrian architect Josef E. Fischer of Erlach.

The picture shows the castle's main entrance from the town's side. Another photo shows its back front from the garden.

The photo was taken in April 2005.

Tags: Slavkov, Austerlitz, Moravia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, Domenico Martinelli, Enrico Zuccali, architecture, Napoleon

Slavkov - Austerlitz

2005-11-20T22:08:00.000+01:00

A Baroque chateau in Slavkov (its German name is Austerlitz), designed by Italian architect Domenic Martinelli, played an important role in European history. Famous battle of three emperors took place near there in December 2nd 1805. The Russian Tsar Alexander I and the Austrian Emperor Franz I -- the two defeated emperors -- stayed in the castle before the battle, while the French Emperor Napoleon -- the winner -- chose it to be his temporary seat after the battle finished.

The picture shows the back side of the castle and a part of its nice garden and was taken in April 2005.

Tags: Slavkov, Austerlitz, Moravia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, Domenico Martinelli, Enrico Zuccali, architecture, Napoleon

Czech Castles

Krakovec Castle

How to get there

And the world's largest castle is...

Podebrady Castle

How to get there

Related links:

Konopiste Castle

More Photos

How to get there

Lichnice Castle (Lichtenburg)

More photos

How to get there

Zbraslav Chateau

The photos

How to get there

Hluboka Chateau

Okor Castle

Cesky Sternberk castle

Photos

How to get there

Related links

Jemniste - New Chateau

Pirkstejn

Photos

How to get there

Ricany Castle

Budyne nad Ohri

Troja Castle

Krivoklat Castle

Kasperk castle

Chlumec nad Cidlinou

Vysehrad - Leopold Gate

Vysehrad - The Brick Gate

Kostelec Chateau from the garden

Kostelec nad Cernymi lesy

Namest nad Oslavou

Trebic Castle

Slavkov Chateau

Slavkov - Austerlitz