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Sychrov castle

Published: 7.8.2008

The castle of Sychrov is situated at a community of the same name in picturesque countryside of Bohemian Paradise, 6 kms distant of Turnov, in northwestern direction. The building is a typical example of aristocratic seat of second half of 19th century.

Except of castle-building with original furniture, it belongs also to castle area vast English park with rare wooden trees, fountains, artificial brook and small constructions.

There was originally. Gothic stronghold on place of today´s castle, however, it was destroyed within 30-years war. In period of 1690-1693, the owners, Lamotte of Frintropp Parentage, built here storey castle with tower in Baroque style. Within 1740-1820, the chateau became a property of Wallenstein Family. In 1820, the period of swing started for Sychrov castle. French Prince Rohan Family bought this dominion. So, Sychrov became one of their seats. Anyway, the chateau was not too comfortable for their stay, so they decided to make the detailed reconstruction.

In 1820, Prince Charles A.G. Rohan let the castle enlarged in a style of late Neo-classical style. Within 1847-1862, Prince Kamil Philippe J.Rohan let the chateau rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style, so shortly undergone the changes also all interiors. The builder Josef Pravot gave the castle small changes in romantic style. Prince, as passionate botanicus, gave big attention the adjoined castle park. In the second half of 19th century, there were planted here many of rare foreign wooden-trees and built several nice garden buildings, such as, for instance, view of Crown Prince Rudolph or ceremony gate named as „Arthur´s Castle“ in a form of artificial romantic ruin. Sychrov was in possession of Rohan family till 1945, when it was confiscated them and was declared as a state ownership. Since 1st May 1950, it was open for public (however, in small range). In 1995, the castle was declared as National Monument.

The chateau is constructed into rectangular ground-plan and is pargetted in red colour. Two wings run in lateral way. Frontal facade has stone portal, and you can see towers along both sides, cylindrical Brittany and prismatic Rohan tower. The buildings are situated around honourable courtyard. from here, there is a passage into 23 ha vast park. Here, you find, except of many rare wooden-trees, also unique red-leaf Rohan oak, planted directly on Sychrov.

The castle-interiors offer the possibility of enjoying of authentic chateau installation (exposition), presenting a conception about way of life in country aristocracy seat at the end of 19th century. You can admire sitting rooms, representative rooms and King´s appartement. The guests were, for instance, Emperor Franz Joseph I., or, in 1834, even French King Charles X. Most of castle rooms are decorated with valuable historic furniture, china (porcellain), glass and excells with rich wood-engravers decoration from workshop of Peter Bušek.

Except of furniture, there are to be found in castle´s collections, also unique collection of French portrait oilpaintings, so called Rohan Portrait Gallery. It contains 243 portaits of Rohan Parentage, related parentages, even members of King´s Bourbon Dynasty, including portraits of Kings Louis III., Louis XIV. and Louis XV. It is one of most important collections of French portaits outside France and the greatest collection of French portrait paintings in Central Europe.

The castle, and especially its garden fascinated musician Antonín Dvořák. He came to Sychrov when he visited his friend, administrator Alois Gobel. The beauty of park in castle, where he walked around quite often, inspired him to many musical compositions. As a memory of this great composer, there is taken place a festival of serious music and a memorable hall in castle spaces.

Basic guided tour: it contents authentic Neo-Gothic interiors with wood-carving decoration of Peter Bušek and collection of French portrait paintings.

Enlarged guided tour: it is enriched of interors of so called Betty wing. Here, it is presented the development of aristocratic interor from Renaissance to historical styles. Memorable hall of Antonín Dvořák and rooms dedicated to last Rohan owners of Sychrov.

Opening time-table:

April: daily, except Mondays 9,00 - 15,30 h

May-August: daily, except Mondays 9,00 - 16,30 h

November-March: daily, except Mondays 9,00 - 15,30 h

Entrance tickets:

Basic guided tour

Adults-full : CZK 80,-

Reduced: CZK 40,-

Foreigners-full:: CZK 150,-

Reduced: CZK 80,-

foreigners with an interpreter: CZK 80,-

Enlarged guided tour: