Libenský zámecek / Chateau Liben (Prague)
N 50° 06.460 E 014° 28.292
33U E 462211 N 5550735
Rococo Chateau Liben (Libenský zámecek) is one of the most beautiful buildings of Liben, mostly modern and from architectural point of view not so rich Prague's district...
Waymark Code: WM791E
Location: Hlavní město Praha, Czechia
Date Posted: 09/21/2009
Views: 203
Originally, a Gothic stronghold uses to stand in a place of the present day Chateau Liben (Libenský zámek). It stood in the middle of a settlement and was first mentioned in 1363 as the property of a rich family by the name of Rotlev. The stronghold had different owners and it was converted by gradual reconstruction into a convenient castle (it must have had toilets).
Prague’s Old Town acquired Chateau Liben from Jan Hartvík, the Earl of Nostic, by signing a purchase contract on 27th June 1662. After its renovation to an early Baroque style the Chateau was used as a residence and a summer-house of Portreeves until the middle of 19th century.
The present-day appearance of Chateau Liben was achieved after a large Rococo reconstruction in 1769-1770. Architect Jan Josef Prachner was entrusted with this reconstruction during which the main double-floored east wing was built including an ostentatious forefront and turret. In the north tract a new platform stairs and a Chapel of the Immaculate Conception were constructed.
In the centre of the castle’s ground floor there is an archway with a couple of plain pillars. An emblem of the Capital City of Prague is placed higher on the castle’s forefront between the vaulted cornices. Above the emblem there is a rounded clock face in a baroque framework. A proportionally balanced steeple rises above the castle’s mansard roof.