From Gothic to Baroque to Art Nouveau

No, it won’t be simple: the story of the oldest castle in our nation, Přimda, already gives us a cautionary message. A record in the Kosmas Chronicle tells us it was constructed in 1121 by “some Germans.” Since the castle was positioned in the border forest on the Czech side, Prince Vladislav I. took it over soon after, making Přimda a significant Czech border stronghold. However, we don’t know the name of the builder and must rely on that vague reference to “some Germans.”

Gothic: the golden age of castles

The golden era of castles stretched roughly from the 12th century until 1550, when the Renaissance began to replace Gothic style gradually. We know that King Přemysl Otakar I established several of the oldest royal castles, such as Zvíkov and Jindřichův Hradec. Additionally, King John of Luxembourg founded Preitenstein Castle strictly for military purposes, and other known castles include Křivoklát, Týřov, and Bezděz. While we cite the founders, the details about their designers and builders remain mostly unknown.

A glimmer of hope comes from castles designed by King and Emperor Charles IV. For instance, the royal castle of Radyně, constructed between 1356 and 1361, was likely designed by Michal Parléř, who was part of the renowned Prague court architect Petr Parléř’s family. The project was organized by Vít Hedvábný. Interestingly, historians have linked the same name from the records related to the construction of Kašperk Castle, where a man named Vít Hedvábný also served as the “construction manager” or magister fabricae. Regrettably, we lack information about the individual who designed the castle. Some insights suggest the involvement of the famous Parléř family of builders.

Renaissance: from castles to chateaux

Do you know which castle holds the title of both the last castle and the first in Bohemia? It’s Točník, a notable private residence of King Wenceslas IV. Had it not been for the Hussite wars and the subsequent need for “rebuilding,” it would have transformed into a castle much sooner. During the era of Vladislav Jagiellonian around 1500, and especially throughout the 16th century, many landowners in the Renaissance style either remodeled old castles or constructed new mansions, adopting the castle designation. The builder and architect Benedikt Rejt (1454-1536) was active in the Czech region during this time. His work is famously tied to the remarkable renovations of Prague Castle, including the stunning Vladislav Hall (which measured 62 meters in length, 16 meters in width, and about 13 meters in height, being the largest vaulted hall in Central Europe without central supports in its period) and the Church of St. Barbara in Kutná Hora. He also left his artistic touch through distinctive tented roofs in various locations. He renovated the castles of Rabí and Švihov, adding not only the water defenses but also Renaissance windows that allowed light and fresh air into the previously dim medieval interiors.

Renaissance builders and architects

Renaissance not only brought architecture’s typical features but also provided us with reports, written records, and valuable information: thanks to these, the names of architects and builders from the past emerged from obscurity, and unlike during the Gothic period, we often know who they are. For instance, the Renaissance castle in Litomyšl, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed in the later part of the 16th century under the watch of Vratislav II of Pernštejn. The Italian architect Giovanni Battista Aostalli de Sala, invited by Vratislav to Litomyšl, drew inspiration from Moravian Renaissance castles for his design. The architect likely responsible for the design of the Renaissance castle in Moravská Třebová was Giovanni Maria Filippi, the architect associated with Emperor Rudolf II. Also, the stunning Renaissance arcades of Bučovice Castle were crafted by Jacopo de Strada, an educated connoisseur of art, historian, architect, and also curator for the art collections of the three Habsburg emperors: Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, and Rudolf II.

The lovely Kratochvíle castle, designed to mimic an Italian villa, and surrounded by a moat along with a splendid Renaissance garden, was also the creation of Baldassare Maggi of Arogna, one of the key builders for the House of Rosenberg. Similarly, the Renaissance castle of Nelahozeves, a notable noble residence reflecting the Northern Italian castle style, is linked to the royal architect Boniface Wohlmut. Queen Anne’s Summer Palace in the Royal Garden at Prague Castle, known as Belveder, represents one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture outside of Italy. We are aware of the names of its designers, or rather, the team behind this modest structure. The architect credited with the summer palace design is Paolo della Stella, while Italian builders like Giovanni Spazio and Giovanni Maria Aostalli, alongside South German builder Hans Tirol, the aforementioned Boniface Wohlmut, and possibly a Viennese architect of Italian descent, Pietro Ferabosco, were also involved in its construction.

Baroque: the main style of castles in the Czech lands

The predominant style seen in Czech castles is Baroque, an artistic and cultural trend that flourished during the 17th and 18th centuries. Originating in Italy, it spread to various parts of Europe and its colonies. During this period, many aspiring builders traveled to Italy for education and training, drawing inspiration from its architectural beauty for their own upcoming projects.

At the castle in Vranov nad Dyjí, you’ll find the name of the architect behind its oval Ancestral Hall, which was crafted by the Viennese architect Johann Bernhard Fischer of Erlach. However, the heart of Czech Baroque architecture is represented by the Dientzenhofer family, particularly Christopher Dientzenhofer and his son Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer. They primarily focused on building churches, monasteries, and other religious structures during their careers. One notable exception is the Portheimka villa, which Kilián Ignác designed as a summer getaway for his family in the Smíchov district of Prague.

Approximately 200 buildings were the work of the Baroque Gothic master Jan Blažej Santini. His primary focus was also on monasteries and churches, along with castle complexes like Karlova Koruna Castle; some of these works have uncertain authorship, such as the Diana hunting lodge. Giovanni Battista Alliprandi was another architect who specialized in castle designs, including Opočno Castle, Hořín Chateau, Liblice Chateau, and Veltrusy Castle, as well as several aristocratic palaces in Prague, often working alongside Jakub Auguston on projects like Týnec Castle. Another noteworthy architect of Italian origin, Carlo Lurago, transformed the ancient Náchod castle into a stunning Baroque noble residence and was responsible for constructing the Humprecht Chateau for Humprecht Jan Černín.

Among the most sought-after architects was František Maxmilián Kaňka, known for designing Ctěnice Chateau, Chateau Jemniště, Krásný Dvůr Castle, Loučeň Chateau, and Liběchov Chateau.

Rokoko: Nové Hrady Castle

The concluding phase of the Baroque period was marked by the influence of Rococo, a highly ornate style that was quite rare in the Czech lands. One of the rare rococo architectural gems in the Czech Republic is the Nové Hrady castle located on the Bohemian-Moravian border, often referred to as Little Schönbrunn or “the Czech Versailles.” The basic structure of the castle was personally designed by Count Jan Antonín Harbuval Chamaré and developed by the Tyrolean architect Josef Jäger, inspired by French summer residences.

Classicism and Empire: the last time of the great castles

Classicism and Empire are artistic movements characterized by ancient influences, a sense of disciplined rationality, intricate design, and organized structure. These styles spread from France throughout Europe during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Examples of classical architecture can be seen in Veltrusy Castle and Kačina Castle, both designed for the Chotk family by the Dresden architect Ch. F. Schuricht. The Kinský Summer Palace, located in Prague’s Smíchov district, showcases the Late Classicism style with Empire elements, brought to life through a design crafted by the Viennese architect Heinrich Koch. He also designed the New Castle in Kostelec nad Orlicí. The Pohansko Castle and other structures in the Lednice-Valtice area were designed by Josef Hardtmuth and Josef Kornhäusel, who worked for the Liechtenstein family.

Art Nouveau: the castle in Nové Město nad Metují

Throughout the 19th century, new artistic movements such as Biedermeier, Historicism, and Art Nouveau emerged. During this era, many castles became less functional, though the new styles occasionally influenced the decorative aspects of their interiors. Authentic Art Nouveau and Art Deco interiors can be found in the castle at Nové Město nad Metují, dating back to the early 20th century when the design was done by architects from the Barton family of Dobenín, including Dušan Jurkovič and Pavel Janák.