The main tourist season begins at castles in the Czech Republic

Prague, April 5 - The main tourist season begins this weekend at castles and chateaux administered by the National Monuments Institute (NPÚ). It will be marked by Italian nobility, and the project In the Footsteps of Noble Families will focus on it. It will present the cultural influences and artistic inspirations that Italian noble families brought to the Czech territory, especially in the 17th century. The main objects will be the Uherčice chateaux in the Znojmo region, Opočno in the Rychnov region and Náchod. About 120 monuments will participate in the Castle Night, which will take place on August 23.

The project In the Footsteps of Noble Families will introduce people to the Italian families of Collalto, Colloredo and Piccolomini, who acquired significant properties in the Czech lands after the Thirty Years' War. "In particular, in Uherčice, they can look forward to the opening of a new tour circuit, renovated interiors in the west wing, which we will open to visitors this year. In Náchod, it will be the reinstallation of the tour circuit of the Piccolomini Castle, which we are opening. In Opočno, there will be guided tours focusing on the rich decoration of the castle and the main picture gallery," said Naďa Goryczková, the general director of the National Historical Institute, to ČTK (Czeh press agency).

Last season, the National Historical Institute welcomed over four million visitors to its facilities. The most people traditionally headed to Lednice Chateau, the chateau and castle in Český Krumlov, the chateau in Hluboká nad Vltavou, and the castles of Karlštejn and Bouzov.

In addition to castles and chateaux, the National Historical Institute also manages monasteries, churches, garden complexes, hospitals, a villa, and a technical monument. Some of them are also accessible in winter; opening hours can be checked on the websites of individual monuments.

Czech press agency | WT.24