State Chateau Kynžvart

Kynžvart Castle: a hidden treasure in the heart of the spa region

Kynžvart Castle is a classicist summer residence located in western Bohemia, near Mariánské Lázně. It is mainly known for its prominent owner, Prince Klemens Václav Nepomuk Lothar von Metternich, who was an important figure in 19th century European politics. The castle is surrounded by one of the largest English parks in the country and houses rich collections of artworks, coins, weapons, rare books and curiosities, including personal items of famous historical figures.

At the end of the 16th century, a Renaissance chateau was built by the Lords of Cedvice in the valley below Kynžvart Castle. However, after the Battle of the White Mountain, the Kynžvart estate was confiscated from Christopher Henry the Younger of Cedvice for his active participation in the Estates Revolt against Emperor Ferdinand II. The Metternich brothers became the new owners of the castle and the surrounding estate in 1630. In 1681-1691, Filipp von Metternich had a new Baroque castle built from the remains of the dilapidated Cedvic castle. The castle had the typical character of a country house.

The most famous owner of the Kynzvart castle and estate was Clemens Wenzel Lothar Johann Nepomuk, 2^nd Prince von Metternich-Winneburg (* 15 May 1773 Koblenz, † 11 June 1859 Wien), who gave the Kynzvart castle its present appearance. He was Foreign Minister from 1809 and Chancellor of the "Habsburg House, Court and State" from 1821 to 1848. Chancellor Metternich lived mostly in Vienna. The old Baroque castle no longer suited the Chancellor´s requirements for representation, so he had it rebuilt in the Viennese Classical style between 1820 and 1839. The remodelling was undertaken by the outstanding Viennese architect Pietro Nobile. The plans for the rebuilding had to take into account the many suggestions and exacting demands of the Chancellor. The implementation of the plans was not a cheap affair. Metternich financed the reconstruction of the castle with a 900,000 gold (i.e. about €45 million) loan from the banker Salomon Rothschild. Prince Metternich received important visitors at the rebuilt castle. For example, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, who brought him bolshevik seeds as a gift, Tsar Nicholas I and the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. At the beginning of the revolution in March 1848, the Chancellor resigned and lived in exile in London for three years. After his return from London, he stayed frequently at Kynzvart until his death.