Zámek Litenčice Chateau

Zámek Litenčice, located in the district of Kroměříž in Zlín Region, is a historical monument with a rich past and architectural heritage. This four-wing two-story chateau, which was declared a cultural monument in 1973, represents a fascinating blend of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical elements. The chateau is not only an important historical place because of its architecture and property, but also offers interesting experiences for visitors thanks to the natural landscape park with Litenčický Jasan.

The first written mention of the village Litenčice dates back to 1141, which suggests a long history of the area. The original fortress was probably established in the second half of the 14th century and was first mentioned in 1437. This fortress became the basis for the later development of the chateau, which passed through several phases of reconstruction. In 1509-1554, the chateau was held by the family Kropaèková from the Unconsciousness. After several other owners, Litenčice came into the hands of Ludmila, born of Roup in 1618. In the 17th century, the chateau was rebuilt into a Baroque building by Mikuláš Pášmana, a nephew and heir to the Archbishop of Ořihoma and Cardinal Péter Pášmán.

In the 18th century, Litenčice became owned by the Thonserns, who made further baroque adjustments between 1712- 1718. The last descendant of this family, František Josef z Thonsernu, bequeathed the estate to his nephew František Maximilian Podstatsky, subject to the adjective "of Thonsern." The House of Podstatsky-Thonsern held Litenčice from 1779 until 1948, during this period many changes were made in the chateau. In the last third of the 18th century the interior was modified and the new main facade with staircase was built. The final form was the chateau in 1808-1817, when the circular corridors were built.

After 1948 the property was nationalized and in the following decades the chateau was used for various purposes which led to its degradation. After 1989, the property was restituted by the family of Podstatský and the area gradually underwent reconstruction. In 2020- 2021 the facade of the chateau was repaired, which contributed to its preservation for future generations.

The Litenčice Chateau is architecturally impressive with its four-wing structure with two-story wings and saddle roofs. The main facade, facing east, is a seven-axis central risalite with a balcony underpass and a semi-circular tympanone. On the north side, there are corners in the form of seared turrets. The forefront consists of a large entrance courtyard with fountain and lattice fencing with gate.

The interesting features of the chateau are Litenčický ash, remarkable by its unusual growth, and the church of St. Peter and Paul, which is a cultural monument since 1973. This church is located about 250 metres north of the chateau and comes from the period after 1700.

Today the chateau Litenčice is accessible to visitors who can appreciate its historical heritage and beautiful surrounding landscape. Its rich history and architectural value make it an important cultural monument worth exploring. Visiting this place offers an opportunity not only to learn about the past, but also to appreciate the beauty and artistic spirit that has been preserved here for centuries.