Město Nové Hrady - Oficiální internetové stránky

The Chateau

In the second half of the 18^th century, the Residence, as the seat of the Buquoy family was called, ceased to be presentable enough, and so the master at that time, Jan Nepomuk Buquoy, started to put together serious plans for a new and impressive chateau. The financial plans were already complete in 1768, but the first project was not created until 1794. The chosen location was the estate garden at the edge of the city. Construction was commenced in 1801 by architect Franz Werschafeld, allegedly inspired by French plans, and was finished five years later by the dowager countess Terezie Buquoy. In the mid-19^th century, the chateau was extensively modified by the new fideicommisum heir Jiří Jan Jindřich Buquoy. He had the Ionic portico facing the city demolished and added an imposing stairway to the garden side and pavilions at the end of the side wings.

            The three-wing, two-storey Empire chateau with one-storey ells became the seat of the Buquoys until 1945. The ground floor housed kitchens and servant's quarters, the first floor contained common rooms and the count's living quarters, and guest rooms were located on the top floor. Interiors were furnished with Rococo and Empire furniture, engravings, trophies and paintings. An interesting room is a round salon called the "Blue Room". It is a two storey room lined with blue and white striped cloth, designed to resemble the field tents used by the family's ancestors in the days of their greatest glory. Another notable feature was a 120-seat theatre hall, which is now one of the last three remaining Empire theatres in the Czech Republic. In the 19^th century, a flight of stone steps with a terrace and conservatory was constructed in the chateau façade.

            An extensive park with a lake adjoins the chateau. In the 19^th century the park also contained a so-called Scottish village with a fairytale cottage, hermitage and many other rustic buildings, which were used for the pleasures of the nobility.

The chateau's history is not linked only to the Buquoys. During the Greek civil war, it served as a home for refugee children. It later housed the local agricultural school, and is now home to the Academic and University Centre.