Once upon a time there was a kingdom where kings and queens, princes and princesses lived in in inexpressible fortresses, safe from attacks and invasions. Today the kingdom is called Czech Republic and the splendour and splendour as well as the solemnity of a time still retains indelible traces. All the magic of an aristocratic past, but also the memory of a burrascosal history and at times cruenta live today thanks to the castles, noble residences and fortresses that crowd the whole country. Almost two thousand are counted, owned by the state but above all private descendants of noble households, and 200 can be visited all year round or at least in the summer season. Some solemns, other splendor, inexpressible or legible, all have stories, secrets and some curiosity to tell...
From the North to the South, from the heart of the capital to spurs of rock, from the harsh fortresses inexpugnable to the elegant noble dwellings it would be impossible to enclose here all the dense past and the extraordinary architectural heritage – rarely under Unesco- effigy of Czech Republic, but there is an ad hoc itinerary that provides a nice overview. It is the Via delle Rocche, Czech part of the famous Burgenstrasse that from Mannheim, Germany, leads to Prague between towers, crenellated walls and moats. But even outside this itinerary, there are no noble sites that embellish the country.
Among the most precious jewels of Cechia certainly stands the Gothic castle of Karlstejn. Turned by Emperor Charles IV in 1348 to guard the jewels of the crown and the sacred relics, the majestic fortress features a high central tower that houses the chapel of Santa Croce, the walls and the ceiling studded with gold and hard stones. This year the San Nicola Ballatoio is also unveiled to the public and it is celebrated 40 years since the castle was set of the film "One night in Karlstejn" with an exhibition that collects the tools and costumes of scene and offers the opportunity to follow a guided tour of the manor on the footsteps of the ciaks or to attend concerts with the songs that were soundtrack of the film.
The Villa of Horovice, this summer becomes the kingdom of children, with a series of fun and educational activities to measure: the reading of fairy tales in the cafeteria of the residence, the exhibition of toys belonging to small aristocrats, the children's theater, the animated visits and unusual meetings, for example with witches who populate the park of the residence.
Just opened after a long and accurate restoration, the castle of Svojanov is a gothic-imperial style masterpiece that offers a very loyal split of life in the mid 1800s. Among the curiosities not to be missed, the old mechanical washing machine in the kitchens, the music box in the ladies' lounge or the old toilet in the Sala delle Colonne. For a noir touch, visit also the underground of the castle, with the torture room and the Gothic-Renaissance armory.
Aficionados of history and Napoleonic wars in particular cannot deny themselves a pointy to castle Slavkov, better known to the world with its German name: Austerlitz. Not far from Brno, it is the theatre every year of a reenactment of the historic battle of 1805, during which Napoleon defeated the Allied forces of the Austrian emperor and the Russian tsar. Now its walls host a new exhibition dedicated to Napoleon and are finally visitable also the stables and the storage carriages.
From Italians, then, you can not visit Bohemian castle Konosti, who was a love nest of Francesco Ferdinando d’Este and his wife Sofia of Hohenberg, born Chotkova. The modern aspect of the fortress is still that of the archduke, which in December will be dedicated a commemorative evening and an exhibition. Fitted the summer calendar of events to which the manor offers its own frame. On 1 June children do not miss their appointment with "A fairy tale of Konopiste", with due participation of ghosts.
Castles and villas of the Czech Republic are all staged for initiatives of all kinds: parties, re-enactments, shows, concerts and insights on various themes, from architecture of epoch to crimes in palace, to the practice of sport among the nobles.
