North arcade wing of Melník Chateau / Severní arkádové krídlo Melnického zámku (Central Bohemia)
N 50° 21.059 E 014° 28.389
33U E 462517 N 5577788
Chateau Melník, originally Gothic castle with history almost 1000 years long, was rebuilt into Renaissance chateau in 1545-1553. The most beautiful preserved part of the complex is its north arcade wing...
Waymark Code: WMKPTJ
Location: Středočeský kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 05/13/2014
Views: 47
Chateau Melník, originally Gothic castle with history almost 1000 years long, was rebuilt into Renaissance chateau in 1545-1553. The most beautiful preserved part of the complex is its north arcade wing.
The Chateau was originally a wooden castle, which was replaced by a stone settlement at the end of the 10th century. In the 13th century, Charles IV declared Melník a Royal dowry town and the castle became the property of Czech princesses and queens. The castle underwent extensive Gothic reconstruction. During the 16th century, in hands of new owner Zdislav Berka of Dubá, it was transformed into a representative and luxury Renaissance chateau. Especially vauable and beautiful is waymarked north arcade wing (1545-1553), work of Italian architect Giovanni Battista Aostalli, which together with sgrafitto facades belong among the most recognized Renaissance structures in Central Bohemia.
Later, in the 17th century it became the property of the Cernín family, which conducted Early-Baroque renovation and gave the chateau its characteristic look. The chateau has been in the ownership of the Lobkowicz family since 1753.