Kroměříž is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the Czech Republic. The picturesque historical city, the monumental archbishop’s chateau, the wonderful gardens spreading around the area represent a spectacular beauty included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
Kroměříž is a city of colorful flowers, cultural gentility, and elegant architecture, which will absolutely amaze you with its appearance. Kroměříž ranks among today’s most prominent historic cities in the Czech Republic. In 1978, the center of Kroměříž was declared an Urban Monuments Preservation area. The complex formed by the Archbishop’s Château (UPDATED on January 4: link removed – website not found), the Flower Garden (UPDATED on January 4: link removed – website not found), and the Château Garden (UPDATED on January 4: link removed – website not found) was designated a National Cultural Monument in 1995 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
If you decide to visit Kroměříž, here is a list of places which amaze by its attractiveness and its outstanding architecture:
Archbishop’s Palace
When visiting Kroměříž, the Archbishop’s Palace is a mandatory objective. The château is just as magnificent from the inside as it is from the outside. It contains four main parts, which people from all around the world come to visit.
The château contains seven Representative Halls originally meant for celebrations and representation of the Bishop’s majesty, a Gallery holding a huge collection of exclusive paintings dating back to the 15th century, the Sala Terrena consisting of five rooms meant for relaxation and entertainment, and the Chateau Tower(UPDATED on January 4: link removed – website not found). The interior is decorated with classical furniture and paintings made by some of the best European artists of those times.
The polygonal tower of the Archbishop’s Château (UPDATED on January 4: link removed – website not found) is the main landmark and the oldest remnant of the old Bishop’s castle. The tower stands on a square plan of 13x13m and reaches up to 86 meters in height. Foundation walls are up to 3 meters thick. From the second floor, the tower continues as an octagonal prism. The top of the lower section can be reached by 140 sandstone steps and other 66 wooden ones (206 stairs in total). Open to the public since 1999, the tower offers a lovely view of the city, its surroundings, and the colorful horizon.
The Flower Garden
The greatest treasure of Kroměříž is the gardens. The Flower Garden (UPDATED on January 4: link removed – website not found) was built in the 17th century and represents a breakthrough phase in the development of European garden art. It is a turning point in development from Renaissance Italian gardens to French baroque gardens. The Flower Garden is richly decorated with statues, fountains, and exhibits exceptionally precise symmetry. The rotunda stands in the center and represents the meeting point of all the garden’s paths. The whole of one side is lined with an elegant colonnade with statues of the antique gods. The entire area has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998.
St. Maurice church
Saint Maurice church stands on the site of a former Gothic church from the 13thcentury which was destroyed during the Hussite wars. The present form of the temple dedicated to St. Maurice corresponds to the complete reconstruction carried out in a pseudo-gothic style after a fire in the mid-19th century. The quality decorative interior furnishings include a Renaissance portal in the sacristy and the pewter tombstone of Bishop Leopold EGKH.
Church of St. John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist church represents the pinnacle of Baroque architecture in Moravia. It was built between 1737 – 1768 and followed the designs of Ignatz Joseph Cyrani from Boleshaus as part of the college Piarist Order. The central oval boat is vaulted at a height of 35 meters and the rich fresco from J.J. Etgens iconographically glorifies the patron saint of the church St. John the Baptist.
We absolutely recommend visiting this city and guarantee a huge amount of marvelous impressions, extraordinary places, and elegant architecture. For more tips for a trip to the Czech Republic check out here and on our official Facebook & Instagram page.
Photo credit: Jakob Bartošík