In the mid-13th century, Bishop Bruno of Schauenburg (1245–1281) elevated the market settlement of Kroměříž to the status of a town (in 1261) and had a castle built. The chateau in Kroměříž was constructed later during the episcopate of Stanislav I. Thurzo (1496–1554). However, it was severely damaged by Swedish forces during the Thirty Years’ War.
History of the Chateau
Mid-13th century
1686 – 1698
The current appearance of the chateau is the result of a radical reconstruction in the second half of the 17th century. Bishop Karel II of Lichtenstein-Castelcorn, in collaboration with architects Filiberto Luchese and Giovanni Pietro Tencalla, had the chateau, which was damaged after the Thirty Years’ War, rebuilt into a Baroque residence. Bishop Karel also restored a large part of the town, constructed a mint, and equipped the chateau with an extensive library. He left his successor a diocese that was free of debt and economically prosperous.
During this period, the first phase of the construction of the Flower Garden took place, introducing the main section of the garden. The construction was carried out beyond the city walls on barren and swampy land. The garden was originally named Libosad. It is an early Baroque garden that combines Italian and Dutch influences. The garden was designed by Italian architects Filiberto Lucchese and Giovanni Pietro Tencalla.
1665 – 1675
1673
The creation of the painting collection was significantly expanded by Bishop Karel II of Lichtenstein-Castelcorn, who not only purchased significant works but also acquired entire collections. The chateau’s Picture Gallery is the second most important collection of paintings in the Czech Republic, after the National Gallery.
The Chateau Garden was established as early as 1509. However, its content and appearance have changed over time. Initially a vegetable and fruit garden, it evolved into a Renaissance garden, which was then transformed into a Baroque garden in the 17th century according to the design by Filiberto Lucchese. Today, the Chateau Garden is a stylish landscape park.
1680 – 1691
1748
In June, Empress Maria Theresa honored Kroměříž and Bishop Troyer with her visit. Bishop Ferdinand Julius Troyer was her favored confessor and confidant. The Empress spent three days in Kroměříž with her husband, Francis Stephen, and the court. During her stay, she conducted a review of the Russian army, which was passing through Moravia to join the Habsburg forces in the war against Prussia. Afterward, she continued to Olomouc to inspect the fortress there.
Not only the chateau but the entire town was devastated by a massive fire that destroyed the entire second floor and part of the first floor of the chateau, the noble stables, the vicarage and canonry houses, and 86 bourgeois houses.
1752
1752 – 1772
The restoration of the chateau took 20 years during the episcopates of Bishops Troyer, Egkh, and Hamilton. As part of the repairs, the episcopal residence was enriched with new frescoes by Brno painter Josef Stern and Austrian master F. A. Maulbertsch. It also gained the so-called Great Dining Room, also known as the Assembly Hall, which, due to the fire, spans over two floors in height.
Bishop Maxmilián of Hamilton hosted Emperor Joseph II at the chateau, who stopped there on his way to Uničov, where he met with the Prussian King Frederick II.
1770
1777
At the request of Maria Theresa, the Bishopric of Olomouc was elevated to an Archbishopric by a Bull issued by Pope Pius VI; a decree from the court office on 24 May of the same year finalized this act, and Count Antonín Colloredo became the first archbishop.
In the autumn of 1848, the Constituent Imperial Assembly of the Austrian nations was moved from Vienna, where revolutions were taking place, to the peaceful town of Kroměříž. Although Brno was initially considered due to its suitable spaces, it was ultimately deemed not entirely safe, and Kroměříž was chosen instead. It is said that the decision was made based on a suggestion by historian František Palacký, who was familiar with the town and the chateau from his research in the chateau archives. The choice of location was met with some reluctance; German residents and deputies leaned towards the Upper Austrian town of Linz, and other representatives saw Kroměříž as situated between the Olomouc fortress and the Brno prison at Špilberk. The so-called Great Dining Room was adapted for the assembly’s sessions, with a platform for parliamentary benches and the presiding officers’ tables (today’s Assembly Hall), which were brought in from Vienna and Prague. On 7 March 1849, the assembly was dissolved by the emperor’s manifesto.
1848 – 1849
1885
On August 25–26, a grand meeting took place between Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and Russian Tsar Alexander III, along with their families. The discussions between the monarchs were held in private, so the content of their talks remains speculative—no record was made. As a gesture of appreciation, they left gifts for their host, Archbishop Fürstenberg, and the archbishop was also awarded the Order of St. Stephen by the emperor.
During the occupation, under the episcopate of Archbishop Prečan, the archbishop’s property was placed under German administration. Dr. Heinrich Fleck became the forced administrator, and the collections were overseen by Prof. Karl Kühn, the director of the Heritage Office in Brno. Negotiations between the owner and the German administration were quite difficult. The property suffered significant damage at the hands of the Germans. The total damage amounted to more than 94 million crowns, with nearly 50 million in losses related to forestry operations.
1942 – 1945
1945
The tower fire during Archbishop Prečan’s tenure was set by the Germans during the liberation of Kroměříž in an attempt to delay the advance of Romanian troops. Fortunately, the tower was toppled into the courtyard by chateau staff, preventing the fire from spreading further and saving the chateau building from burning down. Repairs to the tower took several years.
The nationalization of the chateau building took place during the tenure of Archbishop Matocha. National administration was introduced, and national administrators were appointed. Intense negotiations occurred between the archbishopric and the state.
1948
1950
The nationalization of the furnishings and collections occurred during Archbishop Matocha’s tenure. Both the chateau and the collections were handed over to the Local National Committee in Kroměříž, which negotiated with various state institutions regarding the transfer of the collections into their administration.
The chateau became part of the Art History Museum, established during Archbishop Matocha’s tenure until 1961. This museum was created by merging the District Historical Museum (now the Museum of Kroměříž) with the chateau. The District Museum utilized the exhibition spaces of the chateau and some rooms as storage. In 1964, the picture gallery was ceremoniously opened in approximately the form we know today. However, due to the condemnation of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia by most of the museum staff, the Art History Museum was subsequently dissolved.
1959 – 1969
1970
The archbishopric was not occupied, with Apostolic Administrator Vrana in charge. Following the dissolution of the Art Historical Museum, the museum was divided into the State Castle and Gardens and the District Museum in Kroměříž.
Under Archbishop Vaňák, following the revolutionary days at the end of 1989, the name of the castle was restored in 1990. The castle remained state-owned, with negotiations ongoing regarding the collections (managed by the District Office in Kroměříž) and the furnishings.
1990
1992
Under Archbishop Graubner, the ownership of the collections and furnishings was legally confirmed as property of the Archdiocese of Olomouc.
The inscription of the Castle and Gardens on the UNESCO World Heritage List was confirmed in Kyoto, Japan, on 2nd December 1998. The notification was sent to the Castle from Japan via fax. The support of the UNESCO Club in Kroměříž was crucial for this inscription.
1998
2013
Referring to the historical administration of the Castle and the commitment to previous archbishops who managed the estate, the Archdiocese of Olomouc requested the return of the Castle and Gardens to its ownership.
The Castle was returned to the Archdiocese of Olomouc; however, the return did not include the Flower Garden and parts of the Podzámecká Garden, where European investments had been made.
