zámek Troja Chateau

The castle Troja is a Baroque building in the Prague area of Troja on the right bank of the river Vltava, in the immediate vicinity of the Prague Zoological Garden. There are economic buildings and horticulture in its premises. The property once belonged to the vineyards and chapel of St. Clara, which is now part of the Botanical Garden. The whole area is surrounded by an extensive garden with trees, natural maze, fountains, terracotta vases and stucco leaflets. In the interior visitors can admire the unique fresco paintings of the halls.

The castle was built between 1679 and 1685 to order Count Václav Vojtěv from Šternberk as a summer residence. Here he stayed with his wife Clara and daughter. The project was taken by Giovanni Domenico Orsi and Jean-Baptiste Mathey, the builder was Silvestro Carlos. The garden was founded in 1685, twelve years later, in 1697, the terrace and surrounding economic buildings were built.

During the following centuries, the castle was adopted by several owners. In 1763 it was purchased by Marie Terezie for the Institute of Nobility, which was here alone. In 1776 he was taken over by Alsterled of Astfeld and Vydří, in 1832 he was bequeathed to monasteries of Elizabeth and merciful brothers. In 1842 Alfred kníže Windischgrätz bought the castle and founded vineyards in it. In 1873 his descendants sold him to the family of Židlický. The last private owner, the landowner Alois Svoboda, gave the Czechoslovak State the occasion of the 70th birthday of T. G. Masaryka and the 250th anniversary of the death of J. A. Komenský, subject to the establishment of an educational and social-humanitarian facility for young people of Czechoslovak origin. In the following year 1923-1924, the Ministerial Council established the Kuratorium of Trojan real estate. Part of the land was later used to establish a Prague Zoological and Botanical Garden.

Architecturally, Mathey was inspired by a typical Roman suburban villa he met during his Italian stay. The original concept was adjusted to regular availability with a central hall occupying two floors as a dominant building. There are passageways from the hall with adjacent lounges. From the main hall on the first floor, there is a monumental exterior two-arm staircase decorated with George and Paul Heermann's paintings from Dresden, dating from 1685 to 1708.

The castle underwent extensive reconstruction between 1977 and 1989. The floods in 2002 and 2013 meant destruction of gardens and cellar. Today the castle with the garden is part of the property of the capital city of Prague and is open to the public. Every year, from April to October, the capital gallery hosts seasonal exhibitions in its premises. Visitors can purchase a common ticket - Trojan card - allowing a visit to the castle, Prague Zoos and Botanical Gardens.