Zámek / Chateau - Kostelec nad Cernými lesy (Central Bohemia) - Renaissance Architecture on Waymarking.com

Monumental four-wing Chateau in Kostelec nad Cernými lesy, the principal landmark of this small town in Central Bohemia, belongs among the most beautiful Renaissance castles in the region.

Chateau in Kostelec nad Cernými lesy was built at the site of older Gothic castle (records from the 14th century) by a new Kostelec demesne owner Jaroslav Smirický of Smirice in 1549. From old castle are preserved castle defense ditch, entrance objects (barbican with gate) and some Gothic walls in the chateau' basements. The new four-wing chateau (rectangular ground plan 48×58 meters) with four corner towers, atrium-courtyard is work of Italian architect Ulrico Aostalli. The next 200 years was chateau architecturally unchanged, but damaged by Swedish army during Thirty Years' War. New owner, Princess Maria Theresia of Liechtenstein, finally reconstructed Chateau in 1759 (architect Josef Jäger). The Chateau was sold by House of Liechtenstein to the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) in 1935 and from that time it is administered by Faculty of Forestry of CZU. But some chateau' premises are used by public (Chateau' chapel, Hall of Smirický) for cultural events and weddings. In recently perfectly reconstructed Chateau is also hostel, restaurant and many offices of University Forest Establishment.