A Cultural Tour of Bohemia and Moravia

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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Czech Republic has the most castles per square mile of any country in the world. Many of these chateaux, dripping in history, offer not only tales of romance, murder and shady goings on but also interesting year-round programmes, luring visitors with Easter fairs, summer musical festivities, autumn wine festivals and Advent fairs.

​I visited one of these palatical piles recently in the 
heart of Bohemia and Moravia in a tucked-away 

town – its name is something of a tongue twister - Žďár nad Sázavou. ​ Originally a monastery, two centuries ago it morphed into a chateau which houses museums, art collections, a school and the local fire brigade. The courtyard and historic halls are popular settings for business events and artistic performances and I saw a display of Baroque dancing there. The Estate belongs to the Kinskys, one of Bohemia’s oldest aristocratic families and Count Kinsky showed me round.  He explained that due to the family’s anti-Nazi stance during the Second World War, the Germans imposed receivership on the estate. It wasn’t until 1992 that a new chapter began for the family when the Kinský’s regained possession.  The Count is proud of what he has achieved, even though it is still a work in progress.
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​Besides the castle, Žďár is known for the UNESCO listed Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk at Zelena Hora, one of famed architect Santini’s most admired works. Built in the shape of a five-pointed star, the symbolism of the mystical number five is obvious throughout. Santini incorporated this number because legend says five stars appeared above St John’s body after he was drowned in the Vltava River.                                                                                                                                                                                          Read more about this destination  here 

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