OPOČNO CASTLE

The cylindrical bastion is the only witness of the gothic work built in the 16th century (1569). The whole is Renaissance, with a penchant for the Italian Renaissance in the castle part and a more Nordic influence in the architecture of the jeu de paume and the pleasure pavilion (1602). But what the castle is most famous for are its bright white Renaissance arches, the most representative of this style in Bohemia. Around 1700, the castle was remodeled by Alliprandi and, a century later, surrounded by a large English park with a Renaissance belvedere (free access to the park and the castle courtyard).

The interior (library, ethnographic rooms) is richly furnished and includes a gallery of works by Italian and Dutch painters, as well as hunting trophies, oriental weapons and exotic objects. Of particular note is the important African collection and the gallery dedicated to the American Indians. The whole represents one of the richest and most varied collections in the country. The exhibition of Italian art from the 16th and 18th centuries is not to be missed. It's a pity that the tours are only given in Czech (foreign visitors are given a sheet of text in English), because one misses out on fascinating explanations and anecdotes about the castle itself. However, the tour is still very interesting.

On your way out, take the time to linger in the beautiful French gardens with their well-designed flower beds and in the English park with all its nooks and crannies brimming with greenery.