GuideGuide

Czech RepublicsipkaRegion by regionsipkaSouth-East Moravia (Zlin)sipkaKromeriz district

As far back as the early 12th century, the settlement of Kromeriz, situated near a ford over the Morava River on the site of a former, 9th century Greater Moravian fortress, belonged to the bishops of Olomouc.
The settlement obtained town status in 1260 from Bishop Bruno of Schaunbury. A fortified bishop's castle was built at that time. Of this, there remains today only the massive square keep, which stands on one corner of the present-day castle, facing the town. The 14th and 15th centuries witnessed several alterations of the castle, but it was the Renaissance which left the strongest mark on the building.
A radical transformation into a Baroque building was effected in 1686 - 1711, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Karl of Lichenstein who summoned the Italian builder, G. P. Tencalla. The great fire in 1752 destroyed much of value in the interior. Renovations were entrusted to several major Austrian artists of late Baroque, among them, F. A. Maulbertsch, who was responsible for the especially noteworthy murals carried out in the Mansky Hall in 1759. The mural decoration of the Great Dining Hall followed soon after in 1770 - 1772, at the hands of France A. of Freenthal.
It was in this hall that the constituent assembly of the nations of Austria was held in 1848. The majority of the priceless paintings which today hang on the castle walls were purchased by Bishop Lichtenstein in an auction sale of the collections of the ill fated Charles I. of England. Among the most prozed pieces are, for example, the panel paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a late Tizian (Apollo and Mars), a double portrait of Charles I. and his wife by Van Dyck, and works by Paolo Veronese and the Basono brothers.
Kromeriz Castle has extensive gardens. One of these was refashioned after the romantic taste of early 19th century. The gardens contain a number of minor structures designed by A. Arche. The flower garden, which dates from 1666, exemplifies the mannerist "jardin d'agrement" with original architectural features by G. P. Tencalla. It was restored in 1840-1845 by A. Arche.
Kromeriz held an important role even during the Great Moravian Empire, as it was a junction of major European roads. The importance of this city declined in the 9th and 10th centuries, when the new castle of Bretislav was built in Prerov, and even further when prince Ota II. of Olomouc sold Cerny Kromeriz to the Moravian bishop John.
Roman Kromeriz is mentioned in the immunity certificate of Prince Premysl from 1238. In 1256, Kromeriz is still referred to as a "market village", but soon afterward it became a Gothic city. Bishop Bruno of Schauenburg established the Gothic city of Kromeriz and the Church of St. Morris. He rebuilt the Parish Church of the Virgin Mary in the market village, and in place of the Roman court he established an Early Gothic fortress which was typically used as the seat of the bishops of Olomouc, since the founding of Brno. The medieval Kromeriz was a combination of three elements - the seat of the owner and two market villages (one Slavic, one colonial). Since 1322, a Jewish town also developed, though it was isolated from the beginning of the 18th century. King Wenceslas IV. conferred upon the city all privileges in 1411. During the Hussite wars, the city was sold or used as collateral several times, but after the battle of Bila Hora, it was returned to the bishop. After the destruction of the city in 1643, Charles of Lichtenstein initiated an extensive renovation of Kromeriz. During the construction of the Bishop of Kromeriz's castle and gardens, the work of many sculptors was employed to realize sculptures based on mythical and allegorical themes.
Under the rule of Cardinal Schrattenbach, from 1724-1736, the Baroque Church of the Virgin Mary was built. The greatest construction event of Baroque Kromeriz was the establishment of the Church of St. John the Baptist.
Under the ruling of Olomouc's Archbishop Ant. Th. Colloredo-Waldsee, the city of Kromeriz was again raised in status. In the 18th century the Franciscan monastery was closed. The Enlightenment and Renaissance are reflected in the look of the castle's parks, which were further altered during following centuries. Kromeriz eliminated medieval establishments such as city gates and walls, and bourgeois houses underwent modifications.
Visitors to Kromeriz can see the rich artistic legacy of the city, which has been protected and restored for decades as a cultural heritage of the city.

Photo gallery

logo
white
logo
logo
 
point   Czech Republic
point   History CZ
point   Useful information
point   Tourist attractions
point   Region by region
point   Prague
point   Central Bohemia
point   Northern Bohemia (Liberec)
point   North-West Bohemia (Usti nad Labem)
point   Western Bohemia (Karlovy Vary)
point   South-West Bohemia (Plzen)
point   Southern Bohemia (Ceske Budejovice)
point   South-East Bohemia (Jihlava)
point   Eastern Bohemia (Pardubice)
point   North-East Bohemia (Hradec Kralove)
point   Southern Moravia (Brno)
point   South-East Moravia (Zlin)
point   Kromeriz district
point   Kromeriz Garden
point   Chropyne - chateau
point   Kromeriz - UNESCO city
point   Jewish heritage in Holesov
point   Uherske Hradiste district
point   Vsetin district
point   Zlin district
point   Northern Moravia (Ostrava)
point   North-west Moravia (Olomouc)
point   Interactive map of the Czech republic
point   Activities
home  Back to homepage
summary  My cart (0 item(s))



Dovolená Egypt | Dovolená Řecko | Dovolená Turecko | Dovolená Tunisko

Last minute Egypt | Last minute Řecko | Last minute Turecko | Last minute Tunisko

Prague Apartments for rent

Prague apartments

Prague apartments for rent and hotels - Accommodation in Prague and the Czech Republic - Travel.cz

Need immediate help or consultation? Go to the on-line discussion with our operators or contact us on:
CZ - Prague - phone +420-224 990 990-7, fax +420-224 990 999, toll free numbers: 800 800 722 (CZ),
e-mail reservations@travel.cz or ICQ 267010033.
Accommodation in Prague & Czech Republic |  Prague Tours |  Theatre Tickets |  Rent a Car |  Transfers | Site Map

Secure online payments are provided by globalpayments Europe.