Nové Město nad Metují Chateau

Welcome to the New Town of Metují. You are standing in front of one of the most important and interesting architectural units in the entire Hradec Králové region. Before you take your first step towards the building itself, stop for a moment and feel the atmosphere of this place. In front of your eyes is a chateau that is not just an ordinary building, but a fascinating chronicle that carries traces of centuries. Look at his extensive courtyard and the diverse shapes that intertwine here. At first glance, you may feel a strange discrepancy, but that is what its greatest strength lies in. This object is not the result of one single thought, but it is a living organism that has constantly changed, expanded and adapted to the needs of its owners and the times that came. Feel the harmony that arose from the contrasts between the old and the new, between the strict history and the modern imagination.

To understand why this chateau looks like this, we have to go back deep in our minds to the beginning of the 16th century. The whole story of this place begins in 1500. At that time Jan Černčický z Kácova had the original chateau built here. Imagine then needs - the chateau had to be a safe haven, a fixed and functional one. This original Renaissance essence is still felt in the foundations and in a certain spirit of the entire complex. Over time, however, the needs of the nobles have changed. The chateau was gradually transformed into a representative mansion, a chateau to reflect the power and grandeur of its inhabitants. The big break came in 16,000, when the major Baroque reconstruction began. That's when the chateau began to turn into what we see today as its noble, baroque character. This transformation was key to how we now perceive the overall elegance and dimension of this place.

Now that you know its roots, pay attention to the architecture itself, which is right in front of you. If you look at the building now, notice how different architectural directions intersect here. It's like reading a book where every chapter has a different style. You can see here the Renaissance foundations, which form the skeleton of the entire building, and then the Baroque adaptations are attached to them, which gave the construction its fluidity and richness. If you look towards the north corner now, you can see one of the most interesting elements of this area. It's a Renaissance round tower, which has a very specific name, Butterfly. Its name tells us directly about its historical use. The shape of this tower and its facilities tell us a story about how butter was produced here once, which shows that even such a noble place was closely linked to practical life and management.

The architecture of this chateau is also the result of the work of several brilliant artists. In his history, there have been major changes designed by important creators. We can talk about the influence of characters like Carlo Lurago or Matyáš Bernard Braun whose work defined the baroque face of the place. But the biggest and perhaps most surprising transformation came only at the beginning of the twentieth century. In nineteen hundred and nine, work began, which breathed into a completely new, modern dimension. At this time, traces of architects like Pavel Janák and above all Dušan Jurkovič were imprinted in the history of the chateau. This is the moment when history meets modern imagination and creates something absolutely unique.

This chateau was not just an ordinary mansion, it was a place where people who changed the world met. There have been stories in his history associated with prominent personalities. We see here the legacy of people like the famous musician Bedřich Smetana, whose name is associated with the highest art in our minds. Although various guests and owners moved here, their presence left an invisible mark in the atmosphere of this place. The chateau has always been seen as a cultural centre, a place where nobility meets art. It is this ability to attract important personalities and culture that has made him a place that we now consider to be a national cultural monument in two thousand eight. It's proof of his immortality and the value he has for our entire country.

But now I want to invite you to something that is a real treasure and perhaps the greatest mystery of this complex. If you go towards the gardens, prepare yourself for an experience that takes you completely out of the context of the classical chateau. The architect Dušan Jurkovič, who worked here, created something that has no parallel around it. Notice the original garden in which there is a wooden covered bridge. If you look at him, you might feel that you suddenly teleported to another country. This bridge and the whole garden are deeply inspired by folk architecture from Slovak villages Čičmany. It is a fascinating combination of high architecture of the chateau and a simple but extremely rich folk tradition. This contrast between monumental construction and wooden, folk aesthetics of the bridge is what makes this chateau absolutely extraordinary. It's like a dialogue between two worlds that meet here in harmony.

Now that you have immersed yourself in its history, architecture and the most interesting details, I suggest you continue your next walk. Get carried away by the atmosphere that still hangs in every corner. Explore the gardens, see the details of the Renaissance towers and baroque lines, and try to find a connection between all those times that left their mark. Every step can lead you to a new discovery. I wish you that your visit would be full of experiences and that this unique chateau in New Town over Metamite would really charm you. Thank you for your attention and I wish you a wonderful continuation in exploring this wonderful monument.