Chateau at Kamenice nad Lipou facts for kids
Kamenice nad Lipou is a beautiful old chateau, which is like a fancy castle, located in the Czech Republic. It sits in the northwestern part of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. This area is about 20 kilometers north of a town called Jindřichův Hradec, in the Pelhřimov District.
The chateau looks quite grand today. It got its current style, known as Neo-classical, in the early 1800s.
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History of Kamenice nad Lipou Chateau
This amazing building started as a castle way back in the 1200s. Imagine how old that is! Between 1580 and 1583, it was changed into a Renaissance mansion. This means it got a beautiful courtyard with arches and a lovely garden. Later, in 1744, a grand Baroque entrance tower was added.
The Famous Linden Tree
The chateau is surrounded by a large English-style garden. In this garden, there's a very special linden tree. Experts believe this tree is between 700 and 800 years old! That's older than the chateau itself. The town of Kamenice nad Lipou actually gets its name from this ancient tree. "Lipou" means "linden tree" in Czech.
Chateau Today: A Museum
Since 1998, the chateau has been looked after by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (UPM). From 1998 to 2004, the chateau went through a lot of careful restoration work. Now, it's a fantastic place to visit with many interesting things to see.
The ground floor of the Renaissance north wing has permanent collections. The museum also hosts special short-term exhibitions there. In the south wing, you can find displays from the local Municipal Museum and a grand Ceremonial Hall. Don't forget to explore the cellars, which include a cool Gothic Hall!
What to See: Permanent Exhibitions
The chateau has several exciting permanent exhibitions that you can explore.
Wrought-Iron Work
This exhibition shows off amazing metalwork. You'll see things like decorative grilles, old chests, keys, locks, and door knockers. These items date from the Gothic period all the way up to the early 1900s. It's a great way to see how metal was used to create both useful and beautiful objects over hundreds of years.
Old Toys Collection
One of the most popular parts for young visitors is the collection of toys! This exhibition features toys from the late 1800s and 1900s. You'll find toys for both boys and girls, all from the collection of František Kyncl. It's fun to see how toys have changed over time.
Furniture Design Through the Ages
This collection shows how furniture design has changed over the 1800s and 1900s. You can see different styles of chairs, tables, and other furniture from the Czech lands and other parts of Europe. It's like a journey through time for home decor!
A Museum for the Senses
This is a special exhibition from the Municipal Museum. It tells the 750-year history of the town of Kamenice nad Lipou in a new and fun way. It's designed to be entertaining and engaging for everyone.
Short-Term Exhibitions
The chateau also hosts various short-term exhibitions throughout the year. These change regularly, so there's always something new to discover. For the most up-to-date information on what's currently on display, you can check the website of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague: www.upm.cz.
Annual Toy Festival
Every summer, Kamenice nad Lipou hosts a special festival dedicated to toys! This event celebrates toy designers and producers. You can see creations from art students and unique works from collectors both in the Czech Republic and from other countries. It's a fantastic event for anyone who loves toys and creative design.
See also
- Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
- Museum of Textile in Česká Skalice
- Josef Sudek Gallery
- The Chateau at Klášterec nad Ohří
