In early January 2024, rich amethyst decorations were discovered in artificial caves, known as grottoes, on the ground floor of the Archbishop’s Chateau in Kroměříž. This extraordinary discovery, significant on a European perspective, raised many research and safety questions and necessitated initial rescue work, which will need to be continued. This website will introduce you to the history, significance, current state of disrepair of the grottos, preparatory work, and activities that are currently being planned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDdm06rLpaw&list=PLMDBPfnrBZ1pguafZaZehVABV1bpw2I8-&index=4
Amethyst Grottoes
Archbishop's Chateau in Kroměříž
Visualization of the expected appearance at the end of the 17th century
Discovery of the Amethyst Decoration
About the Chateau
Archbishop's Chateau in Kroměříž
The Kroměříž Chateau is one of the most important Baroque residences in the Czech Republic, associated for centuries with the bishops and archbishops of Olomouc. It acquired its current appearance after reconstruction in the 17th century under the leadership of Bishop Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn (1624–1695). Throughout history, it has hosted influential rulers, including Maria Theresa and Joseph II, and became a venue for the Kroměříž Assembly in 1848–1849. In 1998, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Chateau and Flower Gardens.
About the builder of the grottoes
Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn
Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn (1624–1695) was a nobleman and Bishop of Olomouc, a leading figure in the recatholicization of Moravia in the second half of the 17th century, an important patron of the arts, and an extraordinary art collector. After the Thirty Years’ War, he had the chateau built in Kroměříž, along with the sala terrena and grottos, and he also founded the Flower and Chateau Gardens. He commissioned leading European artists to decorate his residence and acquired valuable collections of paintings and books. As a result of his vision, Kroměříž became an important cultural center.
About the Grottoes
Apollo's Grotto and the Mining Grotto
Grottoes, or artificial caves designed to imitate nature, were very popular among the European aristocracy during the Baroque period. Due to their water features and cool temperatures, they served as places for summer refreshment and entertainment, and their imaginative artistic decoration usually held some allegorical meaning. At the end of the 17th century, Bishop Karl von Liechtenstein-Castelcorn had two grottoes, known as the Apollo’s Grotto and the Mining Grotto, built in the Kroměříž Chateau. Several tons of amethysts were used to decorate them. Owing to their extraordinary decoration, these grottos are completely unique in Europe.
Acknowledgements to Project Partners
Thanks to Vojtěch Kmenta for creating the visualizations.
