Cas le Of Slavkov - Auserlit t t

CASTLE OF SLAVKOV - AUSTERLITZ

National monument

Castle of Slavkov - Austerlitz National monument

Dear Visitors,
Welcome to Slavkov castle, a Baroque pearl of Moravia, close to Brno. In 2008, the castle was included in the list of national cultural monuments. Besides the guided tour of the castle, we offer a whole series of additional services and events. We believe you will repeat your visit of the Slavkov castle, its gardens as well as the town of Slavkov. We wish you a pleasant experience.

Services available in the castle:

comprehensive services in the area of tourism (guided tours in the Czech language, also other languages at request and upon previous reservation); castle caf and summer garden caf close to the ticket office; castle restaurant with a wide-range offer of wines; souvenirs, publications and books related to the Slavkov castle; exhibitions, concerts; cultural and social events in the premises of the whole castle; wedding ceremonials and wedding receptions.

GPS coordinates: 495514.951N, 174959.704E

Traffic connection
By car - highway D1 from Prague - exit Slavkov u Brna - Highway D1 from Ostrava - exit Rousinov By train - railway station Slavkov u Brna By bus - bus station Slavkov u Brna By bicycle - bikeways 5097, 5136

Contact
Castle of Slavkov - Austerlitz Palackho nm. 1, 684 01 Slavkov u Brna Phone No. / Fax No.: +420 544 221 685 Phone No.: +420 544 221 204 e-mail: info@zamek-slavkov.cz www.zamek-slavkov.cz Austerlitz Castle restaurant Palackho nm. 1 684 01 Slavkov u Brna Phone No.: +420 544 212 166 +420 606 637 666

Opening hours of the castle

April - October Daily except Mondays from 9 am to 4 pm May and September Daily except Mondays from 9 am to 5 pm June - August Daily from 9 am to 5 pm November Daily except Mondays from 9 am to 4 pm December 1 14 Daily except Mondays from 9 am to 4 pm Memorial events Special mode

Unsaleable publication Photos provided by: Bedich Maleek, Radoslav Lnsk.

Salla terrena

HISTORY OF THE CASTLE

Slavkov ranks among the oldest well-preserved manors in Moravia. In the first half of the 13th century, a Teutonic Knights Commandery was built in the place of the present Baroque castle. Slavkov is first mentioned to be in their possession in 1237. Parts of the residential building and circular stair tower of the commandery are preserved under the northern tract of the Baroque castle and under one part of the castle courtyard. By the end of the 16th century, probably during the reign of Oldich III of Kaunitz, a new Renaissance castle was erected on the older foundations with a four-winged groundplan, arcades and a huge prismatic tower. The impulse for Baroque reconstruction of the Kaunitz Renaissance residence in Slavkov was laid by Dominik Ondej Kaunitz at the end of the 17 th century. This task of building a representative residence of the family in place of the inconvenient Renaissance building was entrusted to the Italian architect Domenik Martinelli of Lucca. Martinelli introduced his concept of the Baroque castle in the so-called Danube Baroque style in the 1680s. Besides the actual Baroque castle, he also included a modification and reconstruction of a greater part of the town with a new parish church. Originally, the courtyard should have been ended by an entrance gate in the place of the present ground floor semi-circular stalls. The construction of the castle started in the last years of the 17 th century under the supervision of local bricklayer foremen and on infrequent inspections of Martinelli. The central western wing with massively extended corners and haunches of both side wings was erected first. The western moat was arched over in its middle by a bridge with several stair levels. The retreating central forefront was emphasized in the first floor by a balcony opening to the garden from the central room of the 1st floor of the western wing. Martinellis typical interior solution consisted of two separate staircases and a rectangular vestibule segmented by huge ground floor columns. The designers of interior decorations were also Italian masters. The frescoes were painted by Andrea Lanzani who closely cooperated with the stucco master, Santino Bussi. Sculptures in the castle as well as in the park were done by Giovanni Giuliani. Dominik Ondej, the initiator of the Baroque reconstruction of Slavkov castle, died in 1705. Only the western wing was finished then. Its successor, and from 1720 also the Moravian family heir, was his son, Maxmilin Oldich of Kaunitz, imperial count of Rietberg, and from 1720 also the head of the Moravian government. After 1720 he also focused on the completion of the castle reconstruction. He found a successor of Martinellis architectural layouts, the Italian architect Ignacio Valmaggini. The need of a spacious social hall and a pretentious frontispiece from the honorary courtyard necessitated some significant changes in the original plans, particularly in the courtyard part of the western wing with arched underpass. The efforts to increase the representative character of the courtyard lead to the expansion of the ends of the manor wings and the digging out of their courtyard sides. Thus, a large entrance area was created, which was delimited on the other side by similar arches as in the stalls. From the beginning of the 1730s, the completion of this work was given to the charge of a competent designer and architect, Vclav Petruzzi. Maxmilin Oldich of Kaunitz did not live long enough to see the final appearance of the castle. Only his son, Vclav Antonn, the Count Kaunitz-Rietberg, the most significant member of the whole family line and from 1764 also the imperial count, state minister and chancellor of Her Majesty Empress Maria Theresa, of the Emperors Leopold II, Joseph II and Francis II, had the credit of the completion of the entire castle complex. Shortly after he took up the family property after his fathers death, the whole main building, including the southern wing, was built. The exteriors of the newly built parts were adapted to Martinellis western faade, but inside the Classicist elements were dominant. Previous profuseness of the stucco and fresco decorations was replaced by linear segmentation of large areas by fine decorating. Similarly decorated were the ceilings of the oblong ground floor vestibule, the barrel vault in the corridors of the first floor of both wings and the ceiling and the walls of the northern staircase. In terms of the spatial layout, maximum attention was paid to the central oval social hall, the illusionary decoration of which was carried out by the Viennese court fresco creator, Josef Pichler, in 1767. Count Kaunitz also finished the modification of the former dining hall to the socalled Ancestors Hall with larger-than-life paintings of his parent, grandparents and his wife. The last work in the castle was completed with the painted decoration of the castles St Cross Chapel, also carried out by Pichler in 1769.

Historical Hall

Castle interiors
At present, almost the entire first floor of Slavkov castle is accessible to the public. It is comprised of parts of the once large Kaunitz gallery, the beginnings of which go back to the first half of the 17 th century. The biggest expansion of the family painting gallery happened in the second half of the 18th century under Vclav Antonn of Kaunitz. The gallery contained not only copies but also the originals of the works of famous European masters. However, as a result of losses, sales and fires, by the end of the 19th century, the collection was reduced to a mere remnant, parts of which, especially the portraits of the members of the Kaunitz family, are used in the castle expositions. The ceilings of the western wing interiors are decorated with stuccos by Santino Bussi and frescoes by Andreo Lanzani. Particularly remarkable is the so-called Ancestors Hall decorated with a monumental ceiling fresco portraying the gods on Olympus. The Ancestors Hall is interconnected with the oval, so-called Historical Hall, which was completed only in the 1760s with an illusionary decoration by Josef Pichler and where the armistice between Austria and France was signed after the battle at Slavkov. What is interesting in this hall is its acoustics. Its construction was designed so that during top political discussions one could not hear what was being discussed by others even if they were standing close to him. During the tour, the public also has access to the oratory of the castles St Cross Chapel. The interior of the chapel is dominated by the altar with monumental statues of angels, the work of F. X. Messerschmidt from 1774. The chapel premises are used for wedding ceremonies and concerts. The complex was supplemented with a fountain by Peter William and sculptures by Giovanni Guiliani. The new layout of the garden from 1774 basically took over the segmentation of the large park, nevertheless, it changed the system of water canals in the system of pools. The castle parterre was modified and 30 sculptures by Giovanni Guiliani and Ignacio Lengelacher were added to the upper parterre of the park. The renovated garden was re-opened at the occasion of the UNESCO symposium on Baroque gardens in 1977.

Castle of Slavkov - Austerlitz and Napoleon

Slavkov castle is famous not only for its architecture but also because of its connection with the Battle of Three Emperors at Slavkov at the beginning of December 1805. After the retreat of the allied forces from Austria via Brno to Olomouc, Slavkov was occupied by the troops of the French army of the field marshal Soult in the middle of November. A few days later, the French retreated and the town was occupied by the allies marching from Olomouc to the decisive battle. One day before the battle, the opulent Kaunitz residence became the seat of the allied Emperors, Francis II and Alexander I. On 2 December 1805, the allied forces met Napoleon in the area between Telnice and Tvaron. Napoleon gave them a crushing defeat and fought out his probably most famous and most valued victory that at the same time terminated the whole military campaign for that year. The defeated Austrian Russian troops retreated along the Hodonn road to Hungary and Napoleon transferred his main headquarters to Slavkov castle. There, he also gave his famous order starting with: Soldiers, I am pleased with you. During the following days, the castle became the place of diplomatic meetings preceding the end of the war. On 4 December, Napoleon met Emperor Francis II at Spalen mln and two days later, the field marshal Berthier on behalf of France and the Count Liechtenberg on behalf of Austria signed the armistice agreement in the oval hall of Slavkov castle. The hall where the armistice was agreed became later known as the Historical Hall.

The park
The manors park in Slavkov u Brna is one of the most important historic gardens in Moravia and is an integral part of the castle premises. The park was built concurrently with the Baroque castle from 1700 by the architect Domenic Martinelli. The original conception was the Renaissance garden with a flower park and an orangery (casino) decorated with frescos by Andreo Lanzani. With the contribution of the Dutch experts, the garden was planted with imported seeds and bulbs.

Costume guided tours

TOURS OF THE CASTLE

Historical halls
This tour introduces to the visitors the representative premises of the castle with rich fresco and stucco decorations, period furniture and part of the previously famous picture gallery of the Kaunitz family line. It leads through the Ancestors Hall with portraits of the most significant owners of the castle, the Rubenss Hall with copies of Rubenss large-area paintings and last but not the least through the Historical Hall which was the place where the armistice after the battle at Slavkov was agreed. The tour ends in the St Cross chapel with unique acoustics for concert performances.

Other thematic exhibitions

Several gallery premises are located in the premises of the castle. During the season they are always used for exhibitions of various art productions. Have a look at the cultural events calendar and you can always choose. There is a glass artefacts exhibition, ceramics, flowers, paintings, photographs, jewellery, graphics, bobbin laces as well as various Christmas expositions, wine exhibitions and tasting and many others. Current exhibitions are always announced one year ahead on the website of the castle. Park and glasshouses A guided tour introduces to the visitors the history of one of the most significant historical gardens in Moravia with interesting domestic as well as foreign trees and bushes. Roof frames There are occasional guided tours on reconstructed roof frames, a lecture on their history and the progress of reconstruction works. Museum depositories There are guided tours with expert commentary that introduce to the public the otherwise inaccessible premises and collection funds of the Museum of History in Slavkov u Brna including various pieces of period furniture. Costume and programme tours Several times a year there are thematic tours in the castle usually during some cultural events. The visitors may then meet historical persons of noblemen and villeins and let themselves be part of some historical event during the tour, both in the mysterious underground or in the castle interiors. Flower exhibitions Historic premises of the castle and the underground are an ideal place for flower exhibitions. The most favourite is the flower exhibition that is usually held in the midst of May. Our priority and uniqueness among other national monuments who deal with floristic exhibitions is the diversity of topics from wedding flowers through historic floristry up to modern floristry.

Castle underground
The underground tour of Slavkov castle introduces the unique premises of two floors of the castle cellars, the system of connecting corridors, stairs, economic background with a bakery and additional kitchen. You may also visit the torture room and a stone collection with sculptural artefacts. Undoubtedly, the most interesting part of the undergrounds for the visitors is the remains of the medieval fortress of the Teutonic Knights Order from the 13th century.

Historical lounges
This tour shall demonstrate to the visitors the living standard of the nobility from the renaissance era to the 19th century. It includes, for instance, the Renaissance tapestry, the so-called Flower Lounge, empire Napoleonic Lounge, the library, the so-called Hall of Fashion or the Theatre Hall and other rooms.

Virtual battle
It is a non-traditional conception of the battle at Slavkov in 1805. In the 30-minute projection using the virtual reality, the visitors become familiar with the course of the worldfamous battle. The projection has three-dimensional sound and spoken commentary in four languages (Czech, English, French, Russian and German). The scenario is divided into three parts that gradually inform the audience with the circumstances of the rise, course and consequences of the battle that significantly influenced the geopolitical arrangement of the then Europe. The virtual battle illustratively and comprehensibly informs of basic important moments of this historic event and therefore it is recommended for educational purposes of schools of various types.

Occasional tours that are always announced on the websites of the castle must be booked beforehand.

Old-timer festival

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CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS

The overall and detailed list of cultural and social events in the castle is available on the castle website. Here we offer only the list of the most interesting events. Memento of Austerlitz is an event focused on authors reading of non-fiction, namely of the military and war topics. The first year was in 2005 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Three Emperors Battle at Slavkov in 1805. Part of the event is also the literature evening called ten pi svkch (Reading at Candlelight) and a literary and fine art contest for pupils of primary and secondary schools. Slavkovsk memento is usually held on the last Friday in April. Garden days The floristic trade exhibition Zahradn dny (Garden days) is held in the external premises of the castle. This typically spring event is held in the castle park and the visitors find everything they need for their gardens, houses or terraces. Each year, interesting concerts of classical music are held in the castle. Among them is the gala-concert of the Johann Strauss Orchestra Die flotten Geister Wien Coburg. Further, at least two dramaturgically innovative concerts are held during the Concentus Moraviae festival with international participation. The music festival Slavkov ranks among the pop music festivals and is held every year, the third Saturday in June. The organizers of this festival have in mind families with children for whom the castle garden is an ideal place for games and activities in a childrens corner or various sports activities and attractions. There is a rich offer of various refreshments, stalls and last but not the least the very pleasant and friendly atmosphere of the park with the historical building of the castle in the background. A guarantee of good entertainment. Oldtimer festival As it is the tradition, every last Saturday in June, hundreds of visitors come to the castle to see the fading glory of various models of veteran cars and motorcycles. Some of them come to recall the times when their beloved model hit the road, some want to have fun and others need to get the spare parts for their own veteran vehicles. Every year, more than 600 veteran cars and motorcycles arrive at the castle premises. Grand Prix dAusterlitz is one of the biggest international ptanque tournaments in the Czech Republic and actually in the whole of Central Europe. It is usually the last Saturday in July, the ptanque fans may watch the matches at a top level. Festival of Folk and Country Music, is held on a August night in the romantic environment of the castle and it attracts many visitors and audience not only to listen but also to dance to the music. The international wine exhibition - Grand Prix Austerlitz - is a traditional and plentifully attended wine exhibition where prizes are awarded by an expert jury to the accompaniment of a traditional dulcimer music band. The dates of the Napoleonic days are marked by the date of birth of Napoleon on 15 August 1769. There is a rich summer holiday programme with an army camp and training of soldiers in period uniforms, skirmishes and presentations of military tactics and strategy, traditional handicrafts fair or castle tours by historical persons together with the Napoleon and many other. The month of November belongs to the Hubertuss Ride and to young St Martins wines in the castle. Memorial events on the occasion of the celebrations of the Battle at Slavkov are traditionally held close to December 2 when the famous battle started in close vicinity in 1805. In the castle park you may see the camps of the armies who took part in the battle.

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Wedding ceremonie

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Rental of the castle for various company events

The Castle of Slavkov Austerlitz may offer a unique atmosphere for holding various social meetings, business meetings, company events, congresses or wedding feasts. You may use not only the castle interiors but also the large and pleasing (namely during the hot summer months) castle park. You may rent the Historical hall where history was recorded, the Rubenss Hall or the Theatre Hall, or some of the less formal premises of Salla terrena, portico or the courtyard. If you plan a bigger event you may also book the whole castle including the romantic corners and recesses of the park. Within the rental we also provide complex services including: catering services (company bashes, banquets, parties, ceremonial gala evenings and balls; technicalorganizational part of the event; accompanying programme according to the clients wishes: carriage rides; fireworks, light show in a water fountain; performances of historic fencing groups; demonstrations of period armoury and a shooting range, games and contests for adults; fashion shows in historical costumes or modern haute couture; personal welcome by Napoleon, Count Kaunitz with his wife; military staffage from the era of the Napoleonic Wars; costume guided tour of the castle interiors and the underground; period music; trainings, conferences, congresses and teambuilding events for employees. We may also arrange accommodation close to the castle for a bigger group of people. The visitors have at their disposal a whole series of sports equipment from tennis and beach volleyball courts, bowling, squash, ptanque as well as golf. After a hard day you may have a relaxing massage or take a bath in the local lido in summer.

Wedding ceremonies in the castle in Slavkov u Brna

Every year, the castle attracts more and more couples interested in having their wedding ceremony in its premises. The advantage of the castle is the easy accessibility from the major Moravian towns of Brno, Olomouc and Zln. The Slavkov castle offers vast possibilities of how to spend the wedding day in beautiful historic premises. The castle may be used for the whole wedding ceremony, wedding feast or only as a beautiful environment for your wedding pictures. Reservations should be made at the Registry Office in Slavkov u Brna, phone No:+420 544 121 114. For their wedding, the interested couples may choose some of the representative halls of the castle the Rubenss Hall, the Theatre Hall, the Historical Hall or the castle chapel. If the couple prefers an open-air wedding then there is not a better place for such an event than the castle park with the stylish wedding gazebo. The representative premises of the castle and its surroundings are also a suitable place for wedding feasts. There are specific rooms and parts of the castle park that serve such purposes, including the splendid Historical Hall where the armistice was signed after the Three Emperors Battle in 1805. Our team of dedicated professional employees is ready to satisfy all requirements of our clients who decide to spend their unforgettable moments in this unique environment.

Castle restaurant Austerlitz

The castle restaurant Austerlitz is located in the premises of Slavkov castle. It offers to its guests a pleasant environment in the Baroque style of the castle. The premises of the restaurant are divided into three lounges of which each has a special decoration and offers a sufficient capacity for various events. Part of the restaurant is also the Wine gallery with domestic as well as foreign wines. The dominant feature of the restaurant is the cuisine with a wide choice of various delicacies. A true pearl of the castle black kitchen is the metal-mounted grill where various specialities are being prepared. The stylish environment is inviting for pleasant moments with friends or for wedding feasts.

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Dominik Ondej of Kaunitz (1654 - 1705)

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KAUNITZ FAMILY LINE

History of the Kaunitz family line
For more than four centuries, the history of the Slavkov castle has been intertwined with the ancient Moravian aristocratic family of the Kaunitz who used the symbol of a water lily in its heraldry. In 1509, the Slavkov domain and the castle were obtained by Oldich of Kaunitz who made it his main seat. The rule of the Kaunitz family in Slavkov brought about a great boom of architectural activities, support of the crafts, foundation of the first manufacture and a general development of business and trades. Later it was Dominik Ondej of Kaunitz who encouraged the trading and economic development of his domain. He worked as a diplomat in the Habsburg empire and took active part in the political life then. He also initiated the majestic Baroque reconstruction of the actual castle. The most significant representative of the family line was Vclav Antonn, Count of Kaunitz and Rietberg. His skills and experience obtained during his studies at universities in Vienna and Leiden as well as his frequent travels in Europe brought him to the post of state chancellor serving for four Habsburg Emperors Maria Theresa, Joseph II, Leopold II and Francis II. Due to his advantageous marriage policy and diplomatic skills focused namely on France, he reinforced the influence of the Habsburg family line and enlarged many of their territorial possessions. He was awarded the Golden Fleece for his credits. Count Vclav was buried in the Slavkov family tomb under the church of St John the Baptist. One of the last members of the family line was Vclav, Count of Kaunitz. At the beginning of his professional career he worked as the member of the Imperial Council and represented the political interests of the Czech nation. He was also an important patron of students.

The family tomb of the Kaunitz was built under the southern tower of the chapel by Arnot Krytof in 1795. In the same year, it served as the last resting place for the bodily remains of the Chancellor, Count Vclav Antonn of Kaunitz and his daughter-in-law Marie Leopoldina of Oettingen-Spielberg. Today, there are seven coffins in the tomb with bodily remains of other members of the family line both from the Moravian and Czech branch of the family.

Owners of the Slavkov castle

The Kaunitz family obtained the Slavkov domain with the castle in 1509 and remained its owners for more than 400 years. Oldich +1519 Petr +1555 Oldich *1539 +1570 Oldich *1569 +1617 Lev Vilm *1614 +1655 (founder of the Moravian branch of the family) Dominik Ondej *1654 +1705 Maxmilin Oldich *1679 +1746 Vclav Antonn *1711 +1794 Arnot Krytof *1737 +1797 Dominik Ondej *1740 +1812 Alois Vclav *1774 +1848 Castle passes to the Czech branch of the family of Kaunitz. Michal Karel *1803 +1852 Albrecht *1829 +1897 Vclav *1848 +1913 Eugen *1841 +1919

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Information centre
The information centre is located in the close vicinity of the castle and provides the visitors with topical information on possibilities of cultural, social or sports activities, accommodation and restaurants, traffic connection, ticket booking and advance booking of tickets for various events. It also sells souvenirs. Information centre Castle of Slavkov Austerlitz Palackho nm. 1 684 01 Slavkov u Brna Phone No: +420 544 220 988 e-mail: infocentrum@zamek-slavkov.cz

Praha

Olomouc
D1

Brno Mikulov
E461

D1

Slavkov u Brna

Wien

This project was co-financed by the European Union and the South Moravian Region.

European Union European Regional Development Fund Investing in Your Future