Zámecký park (Klášterec nad Ohří) Castle park

Welcome to one of the most important and beautiful green spaces in the entire Ústí Region. You are standing in a place where time seems to be a little slower and where nature in harmony meets the rich history of noble generations. A vast area of nine and a half hectares is spread before your eyes, which immediately engulfs you with its calm atmosphere and deep green. Feel the fresh air and silence that exists here, interrupted by the noise of leaves. This theme park in the Monasteries of Fire is not just an ordinary garden, it is a living story that has been written for centuries, and you are now a part of it.

In order to understand why this place looks so strange and magical, we need to go back deep into the past together. This whole story began at a time when a great transformation walked through the castle. In the years six hundred and sixty-six to six hundred and seven, under the supervision of Michael Osvald Thun-Hohenstein, the original garden was created here. But at that time, it was not what you see around you now. The original vision was completely different. It was a world of strict order, geometry and symmetry, typical of the Baroque period. Imagine the view at that time of this space as a carefully drawn image, where each bush and every stone element had their exact location. It was a garden that was supposed to demonstrate the power, wealth and culture of its owner.

But now look around you and try to perceive the transformation that this landscape was going through. What you see today is the result of a gradual transition from the strict baroque style to something much freer and more natural. The park has gradually transformed into a landscape park which follows English-type rules. This style does not try to tame nature or force it into a straight line, but instead tries to imitate it in its wilderness and freedom. The aim was to create a space that looks like a natural, wild forest, but in fact it is masterfully designed so that the visitor's eye constantly finds new and interesting views.

This fascinating transformation of architecture and gardening was imprinted by Master Jean Baptiste Mathey. He was the one who designed the castle and the garden itself and had to combine the needs of the noble family with the aesthetic ideals of his time. Even though you are now moving in a landscape that acts freely, traces of art are still hidden in its foundations. Notice how the lines of paths wave and how the trees are distributed to create different scenes. If you go further, you can come across the stone elements left behind as a testament to the old world. One of the most important elements you should not overlook are statues. It was the sculptor Jan Brokoff who brought his incredible ability to work with the stone and created works that give the park its spiritual depth. Note, for example, the Statue of Triton. This figure, which carries the power of the sea and myth, is one of those details that reminds you of how deep the ties of the then nobles to ancient culture and art were. If your journey leads to a place where the chapel stands in the Seven Pain of the Virgin Mary, built in the year six hundred ninety-one, you will feel a sudden transition from the world of nature to spiritual peace and history.

Behind all this beautiful revelation and behind every tree there are people who had a vision. The Thun-Hohenstein family has left a trail that is now evident at every turn. The first great architect of this space was Michael Oswald Thun-Hohenstein, who laid the foundations of the Baroque garden. But the park wasn't just about power, it was about science and love for nature. This was manifested mainly because of another figure that you can see here in every leaf and every branch. It was Josef Osvald's first Thun-Hohenstein. He was not only the manager of this vast property, but was primarily a passionate botanist. It is thanks to his expertise and interest in plants that this space has expanded and become what he is today - a true paradise for green lovers. He just brought new wealth to the park and carefully cared for this space to grow and flourish at any age.

And now I'm going to tell you something that might actually surprise you and help you better perceive the incredible diversity that you are currently circumventing. When you look at the trees surrounding you, you don't just see the common forest. This park is one of the richest places in the whole Ústí region in terms of wood quality. Imagine this - in this space there are nearly 900 different species of wood! That's an incredible concentration of life in such a space. Every tree you meet can be different. You can bump into trees with rough bark, the ones with fine leaves, the ones that stand high to the sky, and the ones that spread wide. This huge variety creates a unique microclimate and constantly changes the look of the park depending on the season. It's like an infinite book where each side represents a different species and a different story.

Now I won't hold you back and I won't force you to listen again. You have endless possibilities of exploration ahead of you. You can get carried away by the curves of paths that lead you to unexpected views of the castle or the hidden corners of the garden. You can stop at the statue, try to perceive the texture of stone, or just sit under one of your 900 trees and just be. Take a look at every detail that the masters of architecture and sculpture left behind. Feel the atmosphere of this place, which is a mixture of history, science and the wild beauty of nature. I wish you your walk through this theme park to be full of peace, discoveries and beautiful moments. Enjoy every moment in this green world. Goodbye.