Valtice Castle - Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape
Südmähren, Czechia
10.04.2023
Schloss Valtice, also known as Valtice Chateau, is a magnificent chateau located in the picturesque region of South Moravia in the Czech Republic. With a rich history dating back to the 12th century, this stunning architectural masterpiece is a testament to the grandeur and opulence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The chateau was originally built as a medieval fortress and was later transformed into a luxurious Renaissance residence by the powerful Liechtenstein family in the 17th century. Over the years, it has undergone several renovations and expansions, resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles ranging from Baroque to Rococo.
Today, Schloss Valtice stands as one of the most impressive examples of Baroque architecture in Europe and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chateau boasts 111 elaborately decorated rooms, including a grand ballroom, a chapel, and a library with over 20,000 rare books.
In addition to its stunning interior, the chateau is surrounded by a beautifully manicured park with fountains, sculptures, and a charming French garden. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the park, admiring the picturesque landscapes and soaking in the tranquil atmosphere.
Schloss Valtice also houses the National Wine Center, where visitors can learn about the history and production of wine in the region, as well as sample some of the finest local wines. The chateau also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including concerts, exhibitions, and festivals.
A visit to Schloss Valtice is a journey through time, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the aristocracy in the past. With its stunning architecture, beautiful surroundings, and rich cultural heritage, this chateau is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to South Moravia in the Czech Republic.
Between the 17th and 20th centuries, the ruling dukes of Liechtenstein transformed their domains in southern Moravia into a striking landscape. It married Baroque architecture (mainly the work of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach) and the classical and neo-Gothic style of the castles of Lednice and Valtice with countryside fashioned according to English romantic principles of landscape architecture. At 200 km2 , it is one of the largest artificial landscapes in Europe.
Valtice (Czech pronunciation: [ˈvalcɪtsɛ]; German: Feldsberg) is a town in Břeclav District in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,600 inhabitants. It is known as part of Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as an urban monument zone.
The Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape (also Lednice–Valtice Area or Lednice–Valtice Complex, Czech: Lednicko-valtický areál) is a cultural-natural landscape complex of 283.09 square kilometres (109.30 sq mi) in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It comprises the municipalities of Lednice, Valtice and Hlohovec, and the rural area of Břeclav.
In 1996, the Lednice-Valtice Area was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its unique mix of Baroque, Neolassical, and neo-Gothic architecture, and its history as a cultural landscape designed intentionally by a single family. It is adjacent to the Pálava Landscape Protected Area (Pálava Biosphere Reserve), a biosphere reserve registered by UNESCO several years before. The close proximity of two cultural landscapes protected by UNESCO is unique.
