Duchcov

Its favourable position offers to visitors many of natural, historical as well as technical places of interest. Nevertheless, Duchcov is generally known with stay of Giacomo Casanova, famous lover.

Chateau in Neo-classical style with vast garden, rare works of Baroque artists and furniture exposition form an outstanding town dominante. In 1961, the castle was declared as national cultural monument, completely reconstructed and open for public.

Duchcov has a long history coming to primeval age. The area was colonized by various tribes – several rings and bracelets preserved since that time period. The community was probably founded in 13th century under name „Tockczaw“, later „Duchczow“. In 1460, King George of Poděbrady granted town´s escutcheon and town´s seal. Consequently, at the end of 15th century, the further privileges were granted to the town. Later, 30-years war followed, devastating the town. Anyway, Wallenstein Parentage came and influenced its next development. Wallenstein Parentage deserved well of great building development in the town, reconstruction and further building arrangement of local chateau, originally town´s castle, heavy damaged during Hussite wars. Wallenstein Parentage made first attempts as far as brown coal mining is concerned. In 1758, Joseph Emmanuel of Wallenstein invited well known philosopher, adventurer and globetrotter, Giacomo Casanova. He spent here, as chateau librarian, 13 years of his life, and he died here later in 1798. He wrote on spot most of his literally works, including world-known Memories. Except of him, in  Duchcov chateau stayed also Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Frederick Schiller, Louis van Beethoven, Frederick Chopin and František Palacký. Second half of 19th century meant for Duchcov development in form for construction of new sections of railway lines and brown coal mining. Brown coal swing caused further wave of town´s development, many thousands of new inhabitants came, many new houses and factories were built. It is paradoxical that coal mining meant nearly catastrophy for the town. Duchcov was nearly totally demolished and coal resourses, placed in its neighbourhood, exploited. Nevertheless, the town remained preserved, including its important historical monuments. The most important is, as mentioned before, local Baroque chateau. Inside, you can see furniture expositions of Artistic and Industrial Museum, works of Bohemian Baroque from collection of National Gallery and, last, but not least, the exposition about life and stay of Giacomo Casanova. Also chateau garden, partially struck by coal mining, becomes consequently a park in its English style.

Whole city centre, containing many historical sightseeings, such as Annunciation Lady Day Church, Holy Trinity plague column, St.Florian fountain, Matthias Braun statues, St.Barbra chapel, with tomb-plate of G.Casanova, buried here, as well as protestant chuch in Art-Deco style, all this area is declared as town´s monumental zone. It is worth to visit town´s museum, finished pavilon for Reiner´s fresco, placed here after demolished hospital and town´s information centre.

However, main factor, which influates all town at present, is coal mining from adjoined surface mines (It is muffling, good luck). Coal mining is connected with electrotechnical and machinery industry. In town, there is a seat of company Vitrablock, producing known Duchcov luxfers (bulbs) and china (porcellain) factory Royal Dux Bohemia. Thanks to its extraordinary position, on slope of Ore Mountains and cones of  extincted volcanos of Bohemian Highlands backwards, Duchcov is very popular town and belongs to most visited places of Ústí region.

Opening time table of chateau:

Apríl and May:    on Saturdays and Sundays     9,00 – 16,00 h

May-September:  Tuesdays-Sundays                9,00 – 18,00 h

                            Closed on Mondays

Entrance tickets:

Guided tour (Wallenstein Hall with Parentage gallery, rooms of Wallenstein servants, billiar room, Parish saloon, library, collection of graphical sheets, study room and bedroom of G.Casanova): CZK 70,-

Exposition: treasures from deposits: CZK 20,-

Children up to 6 years of age:           CZK 1,-

Family entrance:                                CZK 150,-

(2 adults and max. 3 children up to 15 years of age)

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Mirek256, Slimejs, Zacatecnik, č.2, č.3, č.4, č.5, Lukas Sova