Kromeriz castle and floral garden
The Archbishop’s Chateau in the town of Kromeriz ranks among the most valued historic monuments in Moravia. It used to serve as a representative residence of its owners, Olomouc Archbishops. In 1110, a market settlement called Kromeriz was bought by the Olomouc Bishop Jan II. (1104 - 1126) and it became the property of Olomouc Bishopric (Archbishopric).
In the middle of 13th century Bishop Bruno of Schauenburg (1245 - 1281) promoted Kromerz to a town (1261) and built a Gothic castle at the place where nowadays the palace is located. He introduced a Manx administration system and concentrated all the administration of the Bishopric in Kromeriz. The castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance palace during the episcopate of Stanislaus Thurzo (1496 - 1554). The Thirty Years War became an affliction to the palace - in 1643 Kromeriz was conquered and destroyed by the Swedish troops of general Torstenson.
Bishop Karl von Lichtenstein- Castelkorno (1665 - 1694) - based on the designs by the imperial court architects F. Luchese and G.P. Tencalla- rebuilt the site more or less into today´s form. In 1752, large fire in town destroyed tens of buildings in Kromeriz and damaged 2nd floor and the interiors of the palace. In 1848-1849 the Archbishop’s Chateau housed the Constituent Imperial Assembly of the Austrian nations. The most significant building revision in the 20th century was the reconstruction of the Chateau Tower (the tower was set on fire by the retreating German troops in the last days of the Second World War).
The Chateau Tower dominates both the Chateau and the entire town of Kromeriz. It is 84 meters high three-floor building including a four-storey tower, the most important relic of the original episcopal castle. Since the fire in 1643 and then in 1752 damaged the tower, in 1768 it was reconstructed and covered with copper.
View on the town from the Tower
In the last days of the Second World War it was set on fire by the retreating German troops, but thank to the dedicated salvage of the Kromeriz citizens the fire was extinguished and the tower reconstructed during 1947 - 1948 in today´s shape.
Garden near palace
Also in Kromeriz we can find wonderful Flower Garden, known as well as Libosad, ranks among the most significant gardening masterpieces worldwide, these days being practically the only representation of such kind in Europe.The main part was designed by the imperial architect Giovanni Pietro Tencalla between 1665 - 1675. On one hand it still resembles the late Italian Rennaissance gardens, but it clearly trends towards the French Baroqque-Classicist type of garden (Versailles) on the other hand.
None of the later arrangements by the well-recognised architects, such as Anton Arche in the 19-th century or Pavel Janak in the 20-th century, have considerably changed its uniqueness and the atmosphere of the period of its origin.
Its hedge labyrints, 244 metres long Collonade, two historic greenhouses, the central pavillon (Rotunda) together with the original flower and sculptoral decoration offer the visitors many surprising and unforettable moments.
In the middle of 13th century Bishop Bruno of Schauenburg (1245 - 1281) promoted Kromerz to a town (1261) and built a Gothic castle at the place where nowadays the palace is located. He introduced a Manx administration system and concentrated all the administration of the Bishopric in Kromeriz. The castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance palace during the episcopate of Stanislaus Thurzo (1496 - 1554). The Thirty Years War became an affliction to the palace - in 1643 Kromeriz was conquered and destroyed by the Swedish troops of general Torstenson.
Bishop Karl von Lichtenstein- Castelkorno (1665 - 1694) - based on the designs by the imperial court architects F. Luchese and G.P. Tencalla- rebuilt the site more or less into today´s form. In 1752, large fire in town destroyed tens of buildings in Kromeriz and damaged 2nd floor and the interiors of the palace. In 1848-1849 the Archbishop’s Chateau housed the Constituent Imperial Assembly of the Austrian nations. The most significant building revision in the 20th century was the reconstruction of the Chateau Tower (the tower was set on fire by the retreating German troops in the last days of the Second World War).
The Chateau Tower dominates both the Chateau and the entire town of Kromeriz. It is 84 meters high three-floor building including a four-storey tower, the most important relic of the original episcopal castle. Since the fire in 1643 and then in 1752 damaged the tower, in 1768 it was reconstructed and covered with copper.
View on the town from the Tower
In the last days of the Second World War it was set on fire by the retreating German troops, but thank to the dedicated salvage of the Kromeriz citizens the fire was extinguished and the tower reconstructed during 1947 - 1948 in today´s shape.
Garden near palace
Also in Kromeriz we can find wonderful Flower Garden, known as well as Libosad, ranks among the most significant gardening masterpieces worldwide, these days being practically the only representation of such kind in Europe.The main part was designed by the imperial architect Giovanni Pietro Tencalla between 1665 - 1675. On one hand it still resembles the late Italian Rennaissance gardens, but it clearly trends towards the French Baroqque-Classicist type of garden (Versailles) on the other hand.
None of the later arrangements by the well-recognised architects, such as Anton Arche in the 19-th century or Pavel Janak in the 20-th century, have considerably changed its uniqueness and the atmosphere of the period of its origin.
Its hedge labyrints, 244 metres long Collonade, two historic greenhouses, the central pavillon (Rotunda) together with the original flower and sculptoral decoration offer the visitors many surprising and unforettable moments.