Velké Žernoseky Chateau

Velké Žernoseky is a Baroque chateau located in the same-name village on the right bank of the Elbe in the Litoměřice district. This cultural monument of the Czech Republic has been protected since 1958. The chateau was built after 1667 on the site of an older fortress and is known for its history, architecture and wine tradition.

The history of the Great Jokes dates back to 1543, when the fort was first mentioned. The original owner of Vilém Kamýcký had it written down with the adjacent court into the renewed Earth records. After the death of his sons, who participated in the construction uprising, the estate was acquired in 1623 by Wilhelm from Vrísovice on Doubrava Mountain. During the 30-year war, the fort served as a prison for the Swedish army and was burned and destroyed several times. Jan Hartvík z Nostic built a simple Baroque chateau on the site of the older fortress, which later his grandson Bedřich Mořic Nostic-Rieneck rebuilt in the eighteenth century. After that, the estate became the property of Jan Nepomuk and his son Alberto, whose daughter married Ernest Emanuel Silva-Tarouca, who sold the chateau to the Prague wine company J. Oppelt in 1916.

Architectural is Velké Žernoseky characteristic of late Baroque style. The foundation of the complex is an early Baroque chateau, which was expanded at the end of the eighteenth century. Its present form was gained thanks to this reconstruction and later modifications in the 20th century. The masonry's older stronghold is probably preserved in the building of central risality. The chateau building is single storey with two-story risalite, decorated with paired corners, plastic mantelpiece and stucco. There are large arches above the side wing windows, while the central risalite is finished with tympanone. Inside it is entered on a short staircase with a portal decorated by the lay and supraport with a volutoviously wound segment, where acantic rivalries with the coat of arms of the Nostitz-Rieneck family are located.

After Jan Hartvik of Nostic, the estate was passed on to his descendants until 1916 when J. Oppelt was sold. At this time a wine bar was opened in the chateau and between 1919-1928 a Czech minority school was located here. After 1945 they managed the State Wine cellars, later the research station of the wine and breeding wine station.

The underground network of vineyards cellars is an interesting feature of the Grand Urnosek, whose construction dates from at least the 13th century. The wine tradition of the area dates back to the 12th century and is connected with premonstrators from Altzella monastery.

Today, Velké Žernoseky stands as a testament to rich history and architecture, attracting visitors not only with its beauty but also with wine traditions. It is a place where both interested in history and lovers of wine and architecture can appear. Visiting Velké Žernoseky is a trip to the past that offers a view of the life of nobles and ordinary people in the Baroque arts and architecture. This monument is not only an important cultural heritage, but also an inspiration for anyone interested in the history of the Czech Republic.