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Zákupy castle

Published: 23.8.2008

At the edge of beautiful town of Zákupy in Liberec Region, we can find a chateau, which forms (with adjoining English park), fully pure rich complex from artistic point of view.

On place of today´s castle, there was situated not too big Gothic stronghold, which was in possession of Pancer of Smolno Parentage. Later, it was handed over to Wartenberg Family, and successively in 16th century, to Berka of Dubá Family. They started with its reconstruction to castle Anyway, in the second half of 17th century, the castle was reconstructed again. An agricultural courtyard was built at the same time, and a garden with terraces was established. Later, vast stables and aviary there were added here. At that time, the castle became a seat of Anna Mary Franziska Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and, together with Ploskovice-castle, it fulfilled a role of residence-seat of Tuscany dominion. Grand-Duchess built in the chateau great courtyard, offering 120 servants, and she looked carefully after this dominion till her death. In 1803, the chateau became an ownership of Tuscany branch of Habsburgs. Congress in Vienna raised the dominion to dukedom. The rule of the area would be taken by fourteen-years old Orlík, son of Mary Louise and Napoleon Bonaparte. However, he never saw the chateau, as he died very young. So, all the dominion obtained, after 1848, to Austrial Emperor Ferdinand I. Dobrotivý (Gracious). The chateau became his summer-seat. In this connection, the castle was again expressively rebuilt, in a style of second Rococo within 1850-1853. The works were effected by architect J.Bělský in cooperation with sculptor V.Levý, stucco-master J.Effenberger and painters V.Kandler and Joseph Navrátil, one of most important painters of 19th century. In 1876, there was taken place a meeting between Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I with Czar Alexander II. There was negotiated here the neutrality of Austria-Hungary Empire in Russia-Turkey War. On 1st July 1900, there was taken place in chateau the other important event: wedding of Franz Ferdinand d´Este, successor to Austrian Throne, with Countess Sophia Chotkova. Within 1st World War, the chateau served as reserve hospital, and later it was handed over into state possession. In 1936, there was established here Museum of Česká Lípa region, and in 1951, the chateau was open for public. Since 1977, the chateau undergone the next reconstruction, and was again open for public in 1985. Later, in 2001, the English park, in neighbourhood with French garden and Baroque terraces, was open for public, too. Since 1st January 2002, the chateau is declared as National Preserved Cultural Monument.

Today, the chateau has four wings which close rectangular courtyard with ground-floor arcades. From great number of halls, rooms, saloons and cabinets are of most value those which served as appartements to Emperor´s family. They are placed on second floor. In chateau interiors, there are to be seen and admired unique ceiling paintings of Joseph Navrátil, just mentioned painter. One one most valuable and remarkable objects is to be taken personal lift of 1870, made by Ringhoffer company. A vast park is to be found in close neighbourhood and a castle ditch is inhabited with bears. If we decide to visit a chateau in summer saison, so we can take advantage of nice nature swimming pool in local pond. In the outskirts, we can visit the ruin of rocky castle of Svojkov or a chapel, cut into a rock not far of Modlivý důl. In Nový Bor, we can visit local glassware museum.