Montbazon Management

Sychrov Castle: A Journey Through Time

Written by

Wray Williams

in

I. Introduction

Nestled in the scenic Bohemian Paradise region of the Czech Republic, Sychrov Castle stands as a remarkable testament to centuries of history and architectural evolution.1 Primarily renowned today for its striking Neo-Gothic appearance, a legacy of the French Rohan nobility who made it their home in exile, the castle’s story stretches back much further.5 From a medieval fort to a Baroque chateau, and finally to the romantic 19th-century residence seen today, Sychrov has witnessed the rise and fall of noble families and the sweep of European history.5 Confiscated by the state after World War II, it has since been meticulously restored and is now a national cultural monument, welcoming visitors to explore its opulent interiors, extensive park, and rich past.5

II. Early Foundations: From Fort to Manor (15th – 17th Centuries)

The history of settlement at the Sychrov site dates back centuries before the current structure took shape. As early as the 15th century, records indicate the existence of a fort at this location, belonging to the Bohemian royal chamber.5 This early fortification, originally part of the Svojkov estate, underscores the site’s long-standing presence within the administrative landscape of the Kingdom of Bohemia.4 By the 16th century, this fort had been replaced by a stone manor house, marking the transition towards a more residential function.5 The estate passed through the hands of several owners during this period, eventually being destroyed during the tumultuous Thirty Years’ War.18

III. The Baroque Era: The Lamotte de Frintropp Chateau (1690-1740)

Following the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War, the Sychrov estate entered a new phase. Between 1690 and 1693, the knightly house of Lamotte de Frintropp constructed a small, two-story Baroque chateau on the site of the earlier manor house.5 The Lamottes were members of the French aristocracy who had served as army officers for the Austrian Habsburg Emperor during the war.5 Their acquisition of Sychrov exemplifies a significant pattern in post-1648 Bohemia, where the Habsburg monarchy redistributed lands confiscated from the Bohemian aristocracy to loyal supporters, often foreign Catholic nobles.5 The Lamottes’ Baroque chateau, complete with a high tower, chapel, and ornamental garden, established the core structure that would later be transformed by the Rohan family.9

IV. A Period of Stasis: Wallenstein Ownership (1740-1820)

In 1740, ownership of the Sychrov domain passed to Francis of Wallenstein, a member of the prominent Bohemian aristocratic Wallenstein family, specifically from the Mnichovo Hradiště line.5 The Wallensteins, one of Bohemia’s most powerful families, already possessed significant estates, with their primary residence located elsewhere (Mnichovo Hradiště).5 Consequently, for the nearly eighty years under Wallenstein ownership, Sychrov ceased to be a continuous aristocratic residence.5 The chateau was relegated to a secondary role, used primarily for administrative and operational purposes related to the estate’s management and for housing service staff.5 Lacking the investment and attention afforded a primary noble seat, the Baroque structure gradually fell into disrepair, described as “decayed” or “dilapidated” by the time it was sold in 1820.5

V. The Rohan Era: Exile, Acquisition, and Transformation (1820-1945)

The arrival of the Rohan family marked the most significant and defining period in Sychrov’s history.5

A. From Versailles to Bohemia

The House of Rohan was one of France’s oldest and most influential noble families, originating in Brittany and claiming descent from its medieval rulers.5 By the 18th century, the senior Rohan-Guéméné branch held prestigious positions at the French court, such as Grand Chamberlain of France (Henri Louis de Rohan) and Governess of the Children of France (his wife, Victoire de Rohan).1 However, extravagant living and financial mismanagement led to a staggering bankruptcy scandal in 1782, forcing the Prince and Princess de Guéméné to resign their posts and leading to their ostracization even before the French Revolution.1 The ensuing Revolution prompted the family, including their son Charles Alain Gabriel de Rohan (1764-1836), to flee France around 1791.5 They sought refuge in the Austrian Empire, eventually settling in Bohemia.5 Unlike many émigrés who later returned, this branch of the Rohans chose to remain permanently in their adopted homeland.5 Charles Alain distinguished himself in the Austrian army, rising to the rank of Field Marshal.5

B. Acquisition and Initial Reconstruction (1820-1847)

On August 30, 1820, Charles Alain Gabriel Rohan purchased the Sychrov estate, along with the nearby domain of Svijany, establishing Sychrov as the family’s primary Bohemian residence.5 Finding the existing Baroque chateau dilapidated and inadequate for his princely rank, he immediately initiated a major reconstruction.5 This first phase, completed in 1834, transformed the building in the prevailing Empire style, adding a floor and extending the structure.5 Work also began on expanding and developing the park grounds around 1821.5

C. The Neo-Gothic Masterpiece: Duke Camille Rohan (1847-1892)

The most dramatic transformation occurred under Charles Alain’s successor (his nephew, adopted son, or great-nephew, sources vary on the exact relation but confirm succession), Duke Camille Joseph Idesbald Philipp Rohan (1800-1892).5 Between 1847 and 1862, Camille Rohan oversaw a comprehensive reconstruction in the romantic Neo-Gothic style, based on designs by architect Bernard Grueber, a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.5 This renovation gave Sychrov its distinctive French-influenced Neo-Gothic appearance, making it one of the most important examples of this style in the region.5

The interiors were lavishly decorated, largely by Czech artists and craftsmen.5 Particularly noteworthy is the extensive and intricate woodcarving executed by Petr Bušek, who worked at the castle for 38 years, adorning walls, ceilings, and furniture throughout the representative rooms.5 Unique glass paintings were contributed by Jan Zachariáš Quast.5 The castle was furnished with original furniture, paintings, porcelain, glass, and other accessories, reflecting the lifestyle of a wealthy aristocratic family in the latter half of the 19th century.5 A significant part of the interior decoration was the Rohans’ extensive collection of French portrait paintings, numbering over 200-250 pieces, depicting family members, relatives, and French royalty – considered the largest such collection in Central Europe.1

Duke Camille, an avid botanist, also devoted great attention to the castle park.5 Designed in the English landscape style, the park covers 23-26 hectares (57-64 acres) and became renowned for its rich botanical and dendrological collections, serving as a model for other important arboretums like Průhonice and Konopiště.5 A unique weeping beech variety, Fagus sylvatica ‘Rohanii’, was cultivated here.8 This period achieved a rare harmony between the castle’s exterior, its interiors, and the surrounding park.5

D. Later Rohan Owners and 20th Century Changes

Following Camille Rohan’s death in 1892, the estate passed to his successor, Alain Benjamin Arthur Rohan (1853-1914), who became head of the family and resided at Sychrov.16 He was active in politics, serving in the Austrian House of Lords and the Bohemian Diet.16 In the late 1920s and early 1930s, under the last Rohan owner, Alain Anton Joseph Rohan (grandson of Alain Benjamin Arthur’s brother Benjamin 16), the castle underwent functionalist renovations.5 These changes partially altered the exterior, removing some decorative Neo-Gothic elements like alcoves and replacing plaster on towers with masonry.5 Inside, some of Bušek’s woodcarvings were removed, and Neo-Gothic furnishings were replaced with modern items.5 Alain Rohan took German citizenship during the turbulent period leading up to World War II.1

VI. Confiscation and State Ownership (1945 – Present)

The 125-year Rohan tenure at Sychrov ended abruptly after World War II.5 In 1945, the castle and its estates were confiscated by the Czechoslovak state based on the Beneš decrees.5 These decrees targeted the property of ethnic Germans, Hungarians, and collaborators; the Rohans fell under this legislation due to Alain Rohan having taken German citizenship.1 Initially, the castle served as a collection point for confiscated property.5

VII. Sychrov in the Modern Era: Restoration and Public Life

From May 1, 1950, Sychrov Castle was partially opened to the public.5 Public access expanded significantly during the 1970s.5 Following the political changes after 1989, a major and ongoing effort began in the early 1990s to extensively reconstruct and restore the castle’s exteriors, interiors, and park.5 The primary goal of this restoration is to return Sychrov as closely as possible to its appearance during its “golden era” in the second half of the 19th century under Duke Camille Rohan.5

In 1995, Sychrov Castle was declared a national cultural monument.1 Today, it is administered by the National Heritage Institute and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Bohemia, open to visitors year-round.3 Visitors can explore various tour routes showcasing the richly furnished interiors, including the royal apartment, private suites, library, and the famous portrait gallery.9 The extensive English park remains a major attraction.4

The castle continues to be a vibrant cultural center. It hosts numerous events, including traditional Easter and Advent markets, falconry displays, the annual Dvořákův Sychrov a Turnov classical music festival (honoring composer Antonín Dvořák, a frequent visitor in the late 19th century), and the popular Scottish Highland Games held each summer since 2001.6 Sychrov is also frequently used as a picturesque location for filming Czech and international movies and fairy tales (including Zlatovláska, Nesmrtelná teta, The Beautician and the Beast, and All Quiet on the Western Front) and is a popular venue for weddings.8

VIII. Conclusion

From its humble beginnings as a medieval fort to its zenith as a magnificent Neo-Gothic residence of exiled French princes, Sychrov Castle encapsulates centuries of Bohemian and European history. Shaped significantly by the Lamotte, Wallenstein, and most profoundly, the Rohan families, its architecture and collections tell stories of aristocratic life, artistic patronage, political upheaval, and adaptation. Confiscated after World War II, Sychrov has been reborn through careful restoration as a cherished national monument and a lively cultural hub, offering a captivating glimpse into the grandeur of the 19th century while continuing to create its own history in the 21st.

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