Archbishop’s Chateau in Kroměříž

The Archbishop’s Chateau in Kroměříž, which for centuries was the residence of the bishops and archbishops of Olomouc, is one of the jewels of Moravia’s cultural heritage. The first documented reconstruction of the older castle in Kroměříž into a chateau took place at the beginning of the 16th century during the episcopate of Bishop Stanislav I Thurzo, who had the original Gothic castle rebuilt into a Renaissance chateau. At that time, the chateau became the residence of the bishop’s court and also the site of important events, when Bohemian King Louis II of Hungary, Polish King Sigismund I the Old, and, a few years later, Emperor Maximilian II stayed there.

However, the Renaissance residence was severely damaged throughout the Thirty Years’ War and subsequent fires. Its restoration was initiated by Bishop Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn, who decided on a radical reconstruction. In collaboration with Swiss architect Giovanni Pietro Tencalla, a monumental Baroque residence was built between 1686 and 1698. The new chateau became a symbol of the Olomouc bishops’ representation and was considered exceptional, also due to its artistic decoration and collections, which Bishop Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn systematically created.

Even the Baroque residence did not avoid disaster. In 1752, two floors of the chateau, including the ceremonial halls, burned down. The repairs took two decades and gave the interiors a late Baroque and Rococo character. In 1777, Maria Theresa elevated the Bishopric of Olomouc to an Archbishopric, further increasing the importance of Kroměříž. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the archbishops continued to make significant alterations to the interiors of the chateau and its surroundings. Among other things, the Colloredo Colonnade and a Classicist portico were built in the Chateau Garden.

The Kroměříž Chateau was not only a residence but also a scene of major political events. In 1848–1849, the so-called Kroměříž Assembly was held there, a meeting of the imperial parliament that was to prepare a new constitution for the Austrian monarchy. In the second half of the 19th century, the chateau also hosted prominent European statesmen, including Emperor Franz Joseph I and Russian Tsar Alexander III.

At the end of the 19th century, under the episcopate of Archbishop Theodor Kohn, a portico was added to the chateau courtyard. In 1945, the chateau was damaged by bombing but was subsequently restored and opened to the public. Since 1998, the Archbishop’s Chateau, together with the Chateau Garden and the Flower Gardens, has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, confirming its exceptional importance in European architecture and cultural and political history.

Another important milestone came in 2017, when, after many decades, the Archbishopric of Olomouc once again became the rightful owner of the Chateau and the Chateau Garden. This event paved the way for the systematic restoration of the historic site, which was carried out owing to the largest project financed by the Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP) in the Czech Republic. The project, for which preparation began in 2016 and which was implemented between 2019 and 2024 at a total cost of over CZK 317 million, was 95% funded by the IROP, with the remainder paid by the owner of the historic site. It consisted of three parts: restoration of the water system in the Chateau Garden, complete restoration of the Mill Gate, construction of a new transformer substation and a new entrance building to the Chateau cellars, the Gardistka building, and above all, extensive construction and restoration works on the chateau itself. The main operations included the reconstruction of the roof frame and the roof itself, the modernization of security systems, and the restoration works, including the challenging renovation of the Assembly Hall, as well as the revitalization of the furnishings and the creation of new exhibitions (such as the Museum of the Archbishop’s Guard and the Treasury in the Chateau Tower). Attention was also given to the improvement of visitor facilities, which now include new exhibition elements and artistic interventions in the gallery’s entrance area, decorated with works by the renowned sculptor Ivan Theimer. Further stages of the restoration works are currently being prepared, with estimated costs exceeding CZK 100 million. These will include the reconstruction of the Chateau cellars, the construction of a new interactive exhibition dedicated to the production of sacramental wine, the modernization of the visitor center and the multi-purpose halls, the renovation of the courtyard, and further restoration works on buildings in the Chateau Garden.