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Chateau Kynžvart

Chateau Metternich in Kynžvart was build in 16. century. The current form comes from reconstruction by Austrian Chancellor Klemens Metternich, a great diplomat and opponent of Napoleon Bonaparte.

History

In 1840, during the "Rhine" Crisis of 1840, Metternich kept held a meeting of ambassadors at the Kynžvart Chateau in the West of Bohemia. From this meeting we know a Suggestion for a “League to Preserve Peace” – a proposal that strongly resembles the founding treaty of the North Atlantic Alliance. The documentary set consists of a report by Lord Beauvale (English Ambassador to Austria) dated August 29, 1840, with an enclosed proposal and memorandum by Count Ficquelmont (Austrian Ambassador to Russia) sent to Lord Palmerston (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) from Kynžvart. Documents are kept by The National Archives in London, in the Foreign Office. The proposal was rejected by Palmerston; in his opinion peace in Europe was sustainable even without the creation of a League that would limit the ambitions of the United Kingdom. At least, the foundation of the defensive alliance without a commitment to future peace was proposed to Palmerston at the end of October by Prussian king Frederick William IV of Prussia, whose ambassador Count Moltzan was present at Kynžvart in August 1840. The Rhine crisis was eventually ended in a different way by the French King Louis Philippe, who removed from office his reactionary government, opening the door to the conclusion of the Second London Convention in 1841. However, Metternich’s vision of "the insurance company against war" was thus not realised.

Architecture

The first building of the site of today´s chateau is mentoined in the second half of 16th century.
Between 1681-1691, the residence was rebuilt in the Baroque style, however, its character as a rural residence with an agricultural background was preserved. The builder was Philip Metternich, newly elevated to the rank of count.
In 1820-1839, the chateau was rebuilt in the style of Viennese Classicism by the Austrian architect Pietro Nobile and the builder Chancellor Metternich, who, in cooperation with Viennese court gardener Johann Riedl, had the chateau surrounded by an extensive English park.
The main building underwent a complex reconstruction in 1998–2000 as one of the first Czech sites included in the Cooperation Program of Phare CBC and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, which listed the restoration of the chateau within the Architectural Heritage Rescue Program.

Current Situation

Kynžvart Chateau is one of the objects administered by the National Heritage Institute of Czech Republic. The Chateau is open to the public.

Indoor is possible to visit two guided tours - Metternich Chateau Interiors and Museum and Cabinet of Curiosities. Also is possible The Barrier free tour.

Outdoor is possible to get a guided tour Under the Treebraches, but the Chateau Park is access free 7/24.

The Chateau also provides a research access.

Statute and Awards for the Chateau

National cultural monument of Czech Republic,
The Europa Nostra award,
The Kynžvart Daguerreotypy was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register,
European Heritage Label for the Kynžvart Chateau - place of diplomatic meetings.