LITOMYŠL CASTLE (ZÁMEK LITOMYŠL)

This beautiful castle replaces an old Gothic fortress. It was built in the Renaissance style from 1568 for V. de Pernštejn, under the responsibility of the famous Ticino architects Giovanni Battista and Ottavio Avostallis. It is characterized by its airy arcades and facades crowned with Renaissance gables, entirely decorated with 8,000 sgraffiti by the painter Šimon. The classical interiors of the four buildings were designed by the Wallensteins (the last owners were the Thurn and Taxis). It is easy to understand why the castle was included in the Unesco World Heritage List with its architectural features and richly decorated three-story façade. Another argument in favor of the listing is the fact that all of the castle's ancillary buildings have also been preserved in admirable condition. They are often remodeled and have very different architectural styles, which only adds to the charm of the whole. Don't miss the baroque theater, built in 1797, with its superb scenic decorations. A pilgrimage to the castle's brewery is a must, as it was the birthplace of Smetana (his father was a brewer). Litomyšl is in fact the birthplace of the famous Czech composer Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884). The castle gardens, which include a large formal garden and an English park, are free to enter every day from 7am to 9pm and offer a beautiful walking destination.