Chateau at Kamenice nad Lipou facts for kids
The Kamenice nad Lipou chateau is a beautiful historic building in the Czech Republic. It is located in the northwestern part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. This area is about 20 kilometers north of Jindřichův Hradec, in the Pelhřimov District. Today, the chateau looks like a grand Neo-classical building. It got this look in the early 1800s.
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History of the Chateau
From Castle to Mansion
The story of Kamenice nad Lipou began in the 1200s. Back then, it was a strong castle. Between 1580 and 1583, the castle was changed into a beautiful Renaissance mansion. It gained a lovely courtyard with arches and a garden. Later, in 1744, a grand Baroque entrance tower was added.
The Famous Linden Tree
The chateau is surrounded by a wonderful English-style garden. In this garden, there is a very old linden tree. Experts believe this tree is between 700 and 800 years old! The town of Kamenice nad Lipou actually gets its name from this ancient tree.
A Museum Today
In 1998, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (UPM) took over the chateau. They worked hard to restore it from 1998 to 2004. Now, the chateau is open to visitors. The ground floor of the Renaissance north wing has permanent collections. The museum also hosts special short-term exhibitions there. The south wing of the chateau holds displays from the Municipal Museum. It also has a special Ceremonial Hall. You can even visit the cellars, which include a Gothic Hall.
What You Can See Inside
Permanent Exhibitions
The chateau offers several interesting permanent exhibitions:
- Wrought-iron work: This display shows beautiful metal items. You can see old grilles, chests, keys, locks, and door knockers. These pieces date from the Gothic period up to the early 1900s.
- Old Toys: This collection features toys from the late 1800s and 1900s. It includes toys for both boys and girls. These toys come from the collection of František Kyncl.
- Furniture Design: This exhibition shows how furniture design changed over time. It focuses on furniture from the 1800s and 1900s. You can see examples from the Czech lands and other parts of Europe.
- A Museum for the Senses: This fun exhibition is from the Municipal Museum. It tells the 750-year history of Kamenice nad Lipou. It uses new and entertaining ways to share the town's story.
Short-term Exhibitions
The chateau also hosts special short-term exhibitions. For the most current information about these, you can visit the website of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. Their website address is www.upm.cz.
Fun with Toys
Every summer, the chateau hosts an annual festival dedicated to toys. This event celebrates toys, their designers, and the people who make them. It also features creations by art students. You can see works from collectors across the country and from other countries too.
See also
- Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
- Museum of Textile in Česká Skalice
- Josef Sudek Gallery
- The Chateau at Klášterec nad Ohří
