Zámecká jízdárna Český Krumlov Chateau

The Zamecká Jízdárna is a Baroque building located in the western to northwestern part of the Český Krumlov Castle complex, not far from the castle gardens. In the Czech lands, it is a unique historical structure.

The idea of a summer and winter riding school dates back to the time when Prince Adam František of Schwarzenberg took over the estate. The rectangular area planted with linden trees dates from the beginning of the eighteenth century. Before the construction of the winter riding school, ball games and bowling were played there. The establishment of the riding school itself is connected with his son, Prince Joseph Adam of Schwarzenberg. He also supported the expansion of the stables and entrusted the main work to the Viennese architect Andreas Altomonte, who later became an imperial court engineer and theatrical draftsman.

Preparatory work began in 1743 and construction took place between 1744 and 1746 in the style of Viennese Rococo. Following the example of the Viennese imperial court, various other parts of the castle were also being remodeled at that time. The winter riding school was to be twenty-eight fathoms long, approximately fifty meters, ten fathoms wide, about eighteen meters, and thirteen ells high, roughly ten meters. In 1750, both riding schools were captured in his watercolors by Josef Plansker. He labeled the summer riding school in German as Karusell and the winter one as die Reitschule.

The sculptural and stucco decoration was created between 1748 and 1752 by the sculptor Jan Antonín Zinner, a graduate of the Viennese Academy, and stucco worker Matthias André. The painted decoration is associated with František Jakub Prokyš. Two large equestrian portraits of Prince Joseph Adam and his wife Maria Theresa, born of Liechtenstein, were painted by Johann Baptist Canton.

The riding school also included farm buildings, primarily a section of former stables with a granary on the upper floor. Written sources document stables here as early as 1556. In 1603, stables for fifty horses are mentioned. A significant renovation took place in 1878. In 1938, the stables lost their function and the building was adapted for administrative purposes. During this reconstruction, a columned hall was created, which is why the entire section is today called the Columned Hall.

Harnesses, carriages, and riding clothes were stored in several places. An inventory from 1854 mentions the so-called Roman Chamber in the basement rooms of the Old Palace. Jan Kristián I of Eggenberg had the Roman ceremonial carriage of Jan Antonín I of Eggenberg transported there from Štýrský Hradec, along with a rich collection of velvet covers stitched with gold, hangings, harnesses, and ceremonial garments. Among the chamber's unique objects were also carousel sleighs.