The castle where the movie Básnící (Poets) was shot… – Krásný Dvůr Castle

Immediately upon entering we will notice the purple colour of the castle walls and fine pink gravel which accompanies us on our way towards the two statues, and all the way to the well-maintained courtyard and, finally, to the castle entrance. A former Renaissance fortress was later converted into a noble building with simple and uncluttered shapes. Most rooms accessible to the public are equipped and furnished in a contemporary period style, including many rare and valuable pieces of furniture. You may also see a collection of glass artifacts, pottery, clocks, fine art and contemporary porcelain ware from the 18th century. The library is very important as it contains collections from the surrounding castles. A set of Baroque paintings consisting of 42 dog portraits by P.V. Berger is considered a rare and unique curiosity. The chateau hosted many famous guests, such as J.W. Goethe, the poet Theodor Körner, the Zaháňská Duchess with Count Metternich and also Josef Dobrovský. Krásný Dvůr belonged to the Czernin family until the occupation, when the Nazis took over. In 1945 the chateau was nationalized. You may also know the chateau from several movies. Who would not know movies such as Konec starých časů, Jak básníkům chutná život or To horké léto v Marienbad. (End of Old Times, How Poets Enjoy Life and This Hot Summer in Marienbad) Find your own pavilion – the castle park. From the noble castle rooms we go to the fragrant and lush nature of the castle park. In the 1780s the House of Černín had an absolutely unique English-style park landscaped around the chateau; it is believed this is the oldest and largest English-style park in the country, covering 100 hectares. The park offers beautiful natural landscapes including monumental deciduous trees. Also the home of the oldest Czech oak is here. Its age is estimated at around one thousand years. Our walk takes us under graceful shady trees and through open meadows. The famous gardener Födisch - after his studies in England, created a sophisticated water system on the Leskovský Brook, which supplies water for five ponds and for one artificial waterfall. The park includes various romantic buildings interestingly spread around the entire park. In the Poustevník Ravine you will find a tomb and an underground tunnel. We will also come across an interesting Chinese pavilion, the Lord's Temple, Gloriette, Goethe's Hall, a neo-Gothic temple with a viewing tower, remains of a hermitage and a 26-metre-high obelisk. We may stay here and wander around for a really long time. You can simply lie under old oaks or on meadows or near ponds and soak up the unforgettable uniqueness of the park.