Mikulov - Valtice - Breclav - Lednice

Route: Brno - Mikulov - Valtice - Breclav - Lednice - Brno
Duration: 10 h
Firstly we will visit to Mikulov which was first developed as the centre of the estate by the Liechtensteins in 1249–1560. The Dietrichsteins ruled here in the years 1575–1945 and the town enjoyed its greatest boom during this time. The new Renaissance conversion of Mikulov came to a climax after 1575. The priest, cardinal and Bishop of Olomouc Franz von Dietrichstein  systematically reshaped the town architecturally, economically and culturally after he took over the estate in 1611 to create a residence worthy of his position in the state. He was responsible for Mikulov’s transformation from a small provincial town into the most important town in Moravia at that time. His love of Italian Renaissance culture and his resulting choice of architects and builders gave the town an entirely new appearance. The town’s geographical location made it a place where cultural and religious currents and various ethnics groups came together, and their legacy can be clearly seen in the town to this day. Next we will visit to the Valtice castle, which came into existence thanks to an enlargement of a tower house that was probably founded in the 11th century and was the seat of the ruling prince of the Liechtenstein family from the end of the 14th century, until the post-war confiscation. The magnitude and splendour of Baroque decoration proves, even today, that it was the residence of one of the most powerful noblemen in the Danube monarchy. Renowned European builders (Tencalla, father and son Erns, Ospel, Martinelli, Beducci and many others) participated in the construction of the castle. The castle acquired its present appearance as a result of costly reconstructions in the 17th and 18th centuries. As an integral part of the Lednice-Valtice Area, it was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. During visit to the castle  you will see more than twenty rooms representing the former residence of the princes of Liechtenstein: one of the three richest families in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. You will become acquainted with the interior and equipment of the Baroque palace as it was at the last expensive renovation in the first half of the 19th century. In the east wing, you will see the monumental, eighty meters long enfilade. You will pass through the suit of the princess and ruling prince; you will visit the chambers in which the Emperor Franz Josef I, the Chancellor Metternich and numerous members of the ruling families, and the highest aristocracy resided many years ago. Next we will visit to Breclav where you can admire the new Church of St. Wenceslas, interesting both architecturally and for its ornamentation. One of the town’s main architectural magnets, this Neo-Gothic parish church, dating from 1898. In the 11th Century Břetislav I built a castle here. This was transformed into a Renaissance chateau by the Žerotíns in the 16th Century. Three centuries later the Lichtenstein family gave it the form of a romanticised artificial ruin. Next we will visit to the Temple of Apollo was built in years 1817 – 1819. The manor consists of eight Doric columns in front of frontal wall with a semicircular embrasure. A semi dome vaults the extension and there is also a terrace with classical rail where you can get up the spiral staircase. Our next stop will be at the Lednice Castle. The first historical record of this locality dates from 1222. At that time there stood a Gothic fort with courtyard, which was lent by Czech King Václav I to Austrian nobleman Sigfried Sirotek in 1249.  At the end of the 13th century the Liechtensteins, originally from Styria, became holders of all of Lednice and of nearby Mikulov. At the end of the 17th century a Baroque palace was rebuilt, with an extensive formal garden, and a massive riding hall designed by Johann Bernard Fischer von Erlach that still stands in almost unaltered form. The castle as it looks today dates from 1846-1858, when Prince Alois II decided that Vienna was not suitable for entertaining in the summer, and had Lednice rebuilt into a summer palace in the spirit of English Gothic. The hall on the ground floor would serve to entertain the European aristocracy at sumptuous banquets, and was furnished with carved wood ceilings, wooden panelling, and select furniture, surpassing anything of its kind in Europe. During the tour in the castle you will visit to the entrance hall, the Hunting Room, the bathroom, the hallway, the Blue Room, the ladies´ bedroom, the Chinese Room and cabinet, the Knightly Hall, the dining hall, the library and the Turquoise Social Hall, the Red Smoking Room and finally,the Blue Dancing Hall. After we will return to Brno.
Price: per person