Chateau Nelahozeves / Zámek Nelahozeves (Central Bohemia) - Renaissance Architecture on Waymarking.com

Nelahozeves chateau, the three-winged Renaissance structure of Italian castello type with arcades in the yard, belongs among treasures of Renaissance architecture in Czech Lands.

The chateau was commissioned around 1553 by Florián Griespek of Griespach, who was an influential court official for Emperor Ferdinand I. His role as an overseer of all the royal buildings of Bohemia enabled him to employ the best builders, like Bonifác Wohlmut, who was the court architect. The chateau that resulted resembles an Italian palazzo on the River Vltava, combining Bohemian and Italian architectural features. Equipped by rusticated stonework, a real moat, and corner bastions, this building encompasses elements found in previous fortified constructions from medieval times, which implies strength and a powerful, lengthy lineage. But, it is also intricately decorated with amazing sgraffito work depicting allegorical scenes, which reflects its’ main purpose as a luxurious noble residence.

Soon after the chateau was completed, the Griespeks were on the losing side of the Czech Estates revolution in 1618, and all of their property got confiscated. The aristocratic Lobkowicz family were on the side that won the revolution and the Nelahozeves was bought, in 1623, by Polyxena of Lobkowicz (1566-1642). The Lobkowicz family became one of the most influential Bohemian noble families and remained so right into the modern Czechoslovak era. Maximilian Lobkowicz (1888-1967) was the ambassador to Britain during the 1930's and, subsequently, the foreign secretary for the exiled government throughout WWII. During this time, the Nazis had seized the numerous properties and art collections of the Lobkowicz’s, and intended to incorporate the best works into Hitler’s Reichsmuseum. In 1945, many were restored, but just 3 years afterwards the Communists gained control and the Lobkowiczes had to leave the country empty handed. It was not until the 1990's, when the ‘restitution of property’ act was introduced by President Havel, that the Lobkowiczes could reclaim most of their estates. Lobkowicz family members have been major collectors of art, and the masterpieces which were confiscated, and which had been displayed in the Czech National Gallery since 1948 (along with the works that had remained in storage), are now back together at Nelahozeves.