Bohemian Paradise Tour

MNICHOVO HRADIŠTĚ CHATEAU – BAROQUE CHATEAU

In the western spur of the beautiful countryside known as Bohemian Paradise, The Wallenstein family bult a luxurious residence exactly corresponding to the family motto: „In spite of envy!“ (Invit invidia!)

Of Historical interest

The chateau´s founder, the prominent Protestant politician, writer and patriot Václav Budovec, was executed in 1621 as one of the main leaders of the Bohemian uprising against the emperor. His confiscated chateau along with the entire estate was awarded to the emperor´s military leader Albrecht von Wallenstein, becoming part of his vast and ever-growing holdings.

A few years later, his life also came to a premature and when he was killed by assassins to stop his plans totop off his stellar career with coronation as king of Bohemia. His body, after many transfers was laid to rest 150 years after his death in the st. Anne Chappel near the chateau.

Several circuits through the rich interiors of the Baroque chateau take visitors back to the aristocratic lifestyle of the 18th century. At that time 22.000 volumes of books were moved here from another chateau belonging to the powerful Wallensteins, Duchcov, where the ageing lothario and diplomat-machinator Giacomo Casanova lived in exile, managing its library until his deth.

The originally Renaissance chateau, built by Václav Budovec of Budova, was passed in the hands of Albrecht of Valdštejn after the Battle of White Mountain. The history of the chateau is linked with the noble family of Valdštejn. It was in their possession from 1623 to 1945. Its present look comes from the period of Arnošt Josef of Valdštejn: it was created during the 1697-1700 period by Mark Antonio Canevallo, Italian architect, who later added other buildings, too. The Sala Terrena was designed by Mikuláš Raimimondi (1711). The large park comprises stables, an orangery and a garden pavilion.

A part of the premises is the Capuchin monastery with Church of the Magi and St Ann's Chapel. The chapel is the place where the shrine of Albrecht of Valdštejn, Prince of Frýdlant and famous military leader from the period of the Thirty Years War is buried.

Visitors are offered a choice of three tours. The first tour will take you around the period interiors with extensive collections of Delphi faience, Chinese china and Dresden and Japanese china. Another interesting attraction is the Valdštejn library from Duchcov, in the 18th century administered by the world-renowned G. Cassanova. The second tour comprises the Empire theatre as well. The second floor of the chateau is used by the Town Museum and presents local archaeology, ethnography and nature, historic pharmacy and a model of the Drábské Světničky.

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