Decay left visible
Peeling walls kept as they are among the artworks.
Stribrohorak — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Stribrohorak — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Stribrohorak — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Stribrohorak — CC BY-SA 3.0
A small country chateau near Kutná Hora in central Bohemia, originally a medieval moated fort, rebuilt in the baroque manner. What distinguishes it from hundreds of other Czech chateaux is its modern fate: after decades of neglect under socialism it was close to collapse, then bought privately and restored over years, and turned into a place for contemporary art — exhibitions, artist residencies and concerts in a historic building where the traces of its decay are left deliberately visible. This blend — peeling walls, partly restored ceilings and modern artworks among them — is a recurring approach in the Czech Republic after 1989, when many historic buildings were inherited in very poor condition and full restoration was financially impossible. The programme varies entirely: seasonal exhibitions, events and open days. Check the programme before going — it may be closed altogether outside events.
Peeling walls kept as they are among the artworks.
Exhibitions, residencies and concerts.
Partial restoration is a recurring Czech solution.
Near Kutná Hora, central Bohemia
Almost all were nationalised after 1948 and confiscated from their owners. Some became museums and were well preserved, but many were used as warehouses, agricultural schools, collective housing and stores, and neglected for decades until they deteriorated badly. After 1989 restitution to the original owners or their heirs began, and many of them faced a building needing millions to restore. This is why the Czech Republic holds both fully restored chateaux and ones still in ruins.
The whole town is World Heritage listed and was among Europe's wealthiest thanks to its silver mines. Its most important sights are the Gothic cathedral of St Barbara with its flying buttresses, and the ossuary at Sedlec decorated with the bones of forty thousand people — an entirely unusual place that some visitors find disturbing. And the silver museum with a mine you can descend into. The town is a day trip from Prague by train.
Sign in to write your review of this place.
No reviews yet — be the first.