Libochovice Chateau

Libochovice was rebuilt between 1683 and 1690 for Gundakar of Dietrichstein by Antonio Della Porta on the site of an older castle beside the Ohre, and it is one of the more complete early baroque country houses in Bohemia, with interiors that kept their stucco, painted ceilings and furnishing. Its best room is the sala terrena on the garden front, encrusted with shells, stones and stucco figures in the grotto manner and opening straight onto the parterre. The formal French garden behind runs to about ten hectares with an orangery, statuary and old trees, and the view from it takes in Hazmburk on its cone across the fields. Jan Evangelista Purkyne, one of the founders of modern physiology and of cell theory, was born in the chateau in 1787 where his father was an estate official, and there is a museum room on him.

History

A Gothic fortress stood on the site and was listed as deserted in 1550, and in 1560 its ruins were rebuilt into a castle. The town suffered three great fires, which also badly damaged the castle, and in the 17th century it was bought by Gundakar, Prince of Dietrichstein (1623-1690), who had the Italian architect Antonio della Porta restore it between 1683 and 1690, with the farm buildings following in 1690-1697; the castle's present appearance dates from that work. It was renewed again between 1900 and 1914 by E. Fiala. The park was laid out in French style by Jan Tulipán, redesigned in English style in the 19th century and later restored to its original design. Jan Evangelista Purkyně, the Czech scientist, was born in the castle in 1787 (Wikipedia, Libochovice Castle).

Highlights

• A shell-encrusted sala terrena - grotto work opening onto the garden parterre.
• Early baroque interiors - stucco, painted ceilings and original furnishing.
• A ten-hectare French garden - orangery, statuary and a view to Hazmburk.
• Purkyne's birth room - the physiologist born here in 1787.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Before you go

Guided tours only, seasonal, closed in winter. Several routes with separate tickets. The garden is included but the orangery may be closed. The town has limited services.

Nearby

Hazmburk is five kilometres away; Litomerice is north.

Key facts