Zámek Nové Dvory Chateau

Welcome to lock Nové Dvory. You are standing in a place where history is intertwined with the calm of the Central Bohemia region and where every stone tells the story of the rise, fall and incredible renewal. In front of your eyes is a baroque residence that will charm every visitor with its majestic appearance today. Please feel the atmosphere of peace and nobility that permeates the entire area. You may see a harmonious whole at first glance, but underneath this surface is a deep layer of events that have shaped this place for centuries. Before you go any further, stop for a moment and perceive this space as if you were trying to soak up the soul of this place that survived wars, fires and changes in power dynasties.

Now let's move further into the past together to understand how this object came into being. The roots of this place go much further than they might seem. In the year one thousand and two hundred seventy eight, the land in this area was part of the property of the seventh monastery. The first clear clue in history that leads us to today's chateau is in the year one thousand three hundred seventy, when the written record first mentions the local economic court. At that time, however, it was only a modest place that was gaining meaning over time. The breaking point occurred in the year one thousand five hundred fifty-eight, when the lock was won by Karel ze Žerotína. It was the House of Žerotín that brought a new level to this place, and in the year one thousand and five hundred and eighty it built a Renaissance mansion that became a symbol of their power and stability.

However, history is unpredictable and the fate of the chateau was very cruel in the seventeenth century. In the year one thousand six hundred thirty-nine he faced the world of war and the chateau was burned by Swedish soldiers under the command of General Banero. This event left a deep scar in architecture and in the soul of the place. The chateau had to be rebuilt, and it was from the ashes and the debris that was born today's beautiful Baroque form. The process of this extensive reconstruction began in the year one thousand six hundred seventy seven and lasted several years, while the chateau gained its present character thanks to the efforts of Count Bernard František the Tower.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself, which you are now observing. Even when you're looking at a baroque object, its structure still bears the glare of its previous Renaissance form. When looking at the facade and the overall composition of the building, note the balance and monumentality that baroque brought. However, the most important and unique element you can see here is the way in which the chateau is organically connected to the nearby church of St. Martin. This unusual bond takes place through the arcade corridor. Notice how this arcade creates a link between the secular power of the chateau and the sacral space of the church. It is an architectural unique which is unprecedented in this area and which creates a sense of continuity and harmony between the everyday life of nobles and the spiritual world.

This space has witnessed the meeting of prominent personalities for centuries. When you look at these walls, imagine that there were people here who hosted the fate of the whole country. In addition to significant members of the Žerotín family, such as Karel or Kašpar Melichar ze Žerotína, the chateau became a real social centre in the eighteenth century. It was a place full of elegance, political talks and social events. It was thanks to their prestige and importance that three monarchs from the mighty House of Habsburg visited here during the eighteenth century. You can imagine what kind of procession and what significant personalities such as arcivévoda Josef I. had to host their noble situ and what impression the chateau had to be of the then European nobility.

If you're looking for something that might really surprise you or leave you in awe, focus on the strange symbiosis that the chateau shares with the church. There's something mysterious about it that these two different worlds, the world of politics and the world of faith, connect in such a direct and physical way through the arcades. This corridor was not only a path, but a symbolic artery that combined human power efforts with the search for divine peace. It's a fascinating detail that makes the New Courts a place that doesn't act as an isolated object, but as part of a larger, interconnected whole.

Now, however, not only historical monuments are waiting for you, but also the opportunity to explore the details you have just heard. I suggest you continue your tour and watch with attention as the baroque shapes pour into the surrounding space. Feel how the atmosphere changes, how the light breaks on the facades, and how the past echoes in the architecture go away. Every step can lead you to a new knowledge of this place.

Thank you for choosing to spend time right here in the chateau Nové Dvory. We hope that this brief introduction has helped you better understand the meaning and beauty of this baroque splendour. We wish you a pleasant and inspiring tour. Enjoy every moment spent in this historic environment. Goodbye.