Kroměříž Castle and its hidden treasures

The Archbishop’s Chateau is one of the most significant Baroque monuments in Moravia. For centuries, it has been the property of the bishops and archbishops of Olomouc who used it as a representative residence and as a place for crucial meetings and negotiations. In 1998, the chateau and the chateau gardens were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Kroměříž Castle certainly resembles a chateau, rather than a castle. UNESCO uses the word “castle”, but the official website uses the name “Archibishop’s Chateau”. This may seem a little confusing, but everyone knows what is meant. As a matter of fact, there had been a medieval castle on that site. The Gothic castle was converted into a Renaissance chateau in the 16th century. It was damaged during the Thirty Years’ War and reconstructed in the Baroque style, based on the design of two Italian architects: Filiberto Lucchese and Giovanni Pietro Tencalla. The castle, or chateau if you will, was the main residence of bishops and archibishops of Olomouc until 1949. Since then, it has been owned by the Czechoslovak and later Czech state. Visitors can admire the second most important collection of paintings in Czechia (after the National Gallery in Prague). The collection was started by bishop Karl II von Liechtenstein-Kastelkorn in the 17th century. Over 500 paintings are displayed in the chateau’s gallery. Among them are 85 originals from the 15th – 18th centuries. The chateau’s tower is 84 m (275.5 ft) tall. It can be climbed and is accessible to visitors during the regular opening times. It offers a great view of the town and the region.