Hrádek u Nechanic: A piece of England in eastern Bohemia
The Hrádek u Nechanic Castle, a national cultural monument, is often referred to as a piece of England in eastern Bohemia. This charming building was constructed between 1839 and 1857 by František Arnošt, Count of Harrach, a member of the Jilemnice family line.
The romantic neo-Gothic building resembles a stone butterfly with outstretched wings. The Tudor Gothic-style project was designed by English architect Edward Buckton Lamb, and construction was led by Austrian architect Karl Fischer, who also designed the interior decorations. Antiques were brought to the castle mainly from Austria and Italy.
The landscape park surrounding the entire castle was designed by landscape architect L. Krüger. He also took into account the neighboring extensive game reserve and pheasantry.
The castle interiors combine grandeur with craftsmanship and art. In the pleasant dim light of the castle chambers, it is easy to believe that the original inhabitants and their guests have just stepped out into the park for a moment. And in the meantime, you can admire how romanticism enriched the lifestyle of the historical nobility of the 19th century.
The castle’s history and appearance in films
Members of Czech Radio walk through the castle with castle warden Martin Rejman, who tells us about the last film shoot of a romantic story, when Indian filmmakers were here. He also mentions a number of others, such as the fairy tales Krakonošovo tajemství (Krakonoš's Secret) and Princ a večernice (The Prince and the Evening Star). The warden with more on its history and what brings directors to this part of Czechia:
“The history is recorded for the first time since the mid-19th century, specifically covering the years 1839 to 1857, when František Arnošt Hrabě z Hrachů built Hradec as his summer castle. It is a small hunting and representative estate. The representative aspect is very important because, for the primary purposes, which were summer recreation and hunting in the surrounding forests, a small wooden hut would have sufficed. But this ‘hut’ is much larger, containing 35 rooms. The English influence in eastern Czechia is reflected in Hradec’s exterior. Inside, we find especially Renaissance interiors, along with a distinctly Austrian noble style.”
The list of films shot at the castle would be very long, so let's just mention the drama Lady Chatterley's Lover, the crime comedy The Manor, the romantic drama Angel Face, the drama Post Bellum, Assassination, and Dark Blue World. In addition, many TV series were also filmed here, such as Jane Eyre, Ten Centuries of Architecture, The Treasure of Agnes of Bohemia, The Adventures of Criminalistics, and The Chronicles of Young Indiana Jones.
The Golden Hall and the Clock Tower
The basic tour is called The Splendor and Glory of the Harrach Family. It includes the unique Golden Hall. Its name is derived from the gilded leather wallpaper made in Italy in the 17th century. You can also explore The Personal Life of the Nobility. This tour takes you through the representative Knights' Hall and the apartments of the countess and count. The tour called Guest Rooms is a tour of the former guest rooms on the first floor.
Or you can take a tour from the cellars to the tower, which includes a visit to the castle cellars, demonstrations of technical innovations, and a climb up the Clock Tower. From there, you can enjoy beautiful views of Trosky, Ještěd, and even Sněžka. You can also see the castle park and part of the castle from a bird’s-eye view. On selected days, there are children’s tours during which the countess or young countess guides visitors through the castle. Children learn in an entertaining way how people used to live in the castle.
Four tour routes serve to inspire admiration and broaden horizons, surprising visitors with information about secret doors, for example. Apparently, there are thirty-five of them here. Some lead to secret passages. Visitors will be able to pass through some of the doors, while others will remain hidden.
The castle park is open to visitors year-round, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Related
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Hradec Králové Region
A region of mountains and skiers. The highest mountain in Czechia, Sněžka (1603 m), is located here. Karel Čapek was born here.
