The first preserved record of Lednice is from the year 1222. At that time it was just a Gothic water stronghold with a farmyard which Siegfried Sirotek, a Moravian aristocrat, obtained from King Wenceslas I. The Liechtenstein family, who came from Styria (Austria), bought a part of the manor and the castle Mikulov and from 1371 to 1945 they were the owners of Lednice and nearby Valtice castle. Lednice, with its beautiful gardens and surrounding park, served as the summer residence for the ruling princes who were continually improving the property. For instance, the famous Austrian architect Bernard Fischer von Erlach (1656–1723) rebuilt the Renaissance chateau during the 16th century. He also added a monumental riding hall and stables in the Baroque style; these are connected to the chateau on the west side. Karl Eusebius of Liechtenstein (1611–1684), an artist, builder, gardener and horse breeder known throughout the whole of Europe, was largely responsible for the rapid growth of Lednice and its surroundings.

During the years 1846–1858 the chateau was rebuilt in English Neogothic style by the architect George Wingelmüller as requested by the then-ruling prince Alois II. (1796–1858). At this time, the chateau served as a summer residence. After Wingelmüller’s death his assistant Johann Heidrich finished the project. The inside furnishings, which you can see during the visit, were created in the furniture workshop of Carl Leistler in Vienna. However, some of the furnishings suffered damage during World War II and the most valuable pictures were transported to Vaduz (the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein) in 1943 by the family. The Lednice chateau was taken over by the Czechoslovak State in 1945 and made accessible to the public. The Lednice-Valtice complex was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.

The Liechtensteins were ardent hunters, which is proven by the numerous antlers here, and in this Hunting room they originally placed their trophies. Presently, only two stuffed eagles remain. On the left side of the room, you can admire the head of a mythical unicorn. The head itself is from plaster but the horn comes from special sea animal - the narwhal, which lives in the North Sea.

We now come to an entry room where two flags are displayed. These are from the regiment of soldiers led by Johann Josef I of Liechtenstein. The flags are dated from 1801 and were used in Napoleonic battles. They are rare primarily because they have been preserved as a complete set along with the authentic flagstaffs and carrying belts below. Because the flags are identical, we can observe them front and back. The Latin motto Pro Rege et Patria means For King and Country. Johann Josef I of Liechtenstein (1760–1836), a field marshal, earned his reputation as a young man in battles against the Turks. Later, during the Napoleonic wars, he took part in the battles of Austerlitz (Slavkov u Brna, 1805), Aspern and Wagram (1809). The little door which you will notice in the corner of the room was instrumental in firing the stove in the next room.

The ladies’ bedroom is furnished mainly in the late Empire style. The writing table in a corner is a replica of a famous piece made by architect John Danhauser for Sophia of Habsburg. Its plant pots were part of the original design, as well as the lids which replace them in winter. On a night stand there is a mother-of-pearl cross imported from Mexico in the 19th century.  The pictures in the room are watercolours painted by Alois II. himself. In the 19th century, painting was part of the education and good upbringing of a member of an aristocratic family. The princess Francisca herself was also a very enthusiastic painter. Once again you may have a look into the bathroom where you can better see the flush toilet in the shape of fish.

The original wallpaper in the second Chinese room is unique for its interesting themes. The paintings are done on original Chinese paper and are extraordinary in Europe for the scale of their humans, birds and flowers. You can see that people are much smaller than animals and plants. An old Chinese philosophy states that nature is more than human. The large red jewelry case and the vase of Chinese porcelain are of artistic value as well. And now we return to the representative area of the chateau.

A large English park is situated on the north side of the chateau. This park was added to the original garden and was filled with Romantic buildings by prince Alois I. (1759–1805). The minaret, or Turkish tower which you can see, is said to have been designed in just one night by the prince’s architect Josef Hardmuth. The minaret is a unique 60-metre (195 feet) high observation tower. In 1805 prince Johann I. commissioned  the agricultural buildings master Petri and the horticulturist Fanti to rebuild a muddy stretch of land and convert it to a natural park in the English style. Around 1811 they constructed a pond with 16 small islands. A new riverbed for the river Dyje was created behind the minaret and security dikes were built.

This summer dining room was used only in case of celebrations or special visitations. On a richly-carved Neogothic table and in the corners you can see original pewter dishes. The pictures on the walls remind us of this room’s function. On the right side, a painting shows the wedding banquet of Sigismund of Dietrichstein and Barbara of Rothal. Among the guests you can also see the Czech and Hungarian King Vladislaus II Jagiello (He is sitting on a chair in front of the table on the left) and his children prince Louis II., the next Czech king, and princess Anne, who became queen after 1526. A picture of a knightly tournament, usually organized during such occasions, hangs on the left. The Venetian mirror with a rich Baroque frame hangs on the opposite wall between windows. Its carving was inspired by the leaves of the acanthus plant, a traditional motif used in classical architecture.

The unique self-supporting wooden staircase dominates the library. This masterpiece was made in the workshop of Carl Leistler and was completed in 1851. According to legend, it was made from the trunk of a single oak tree. However, it was not done at once. The trunk was cut into smaller parts and after the carvings had been done, the trunk was joined again. There are no iron nails in this staircase. The staircase leads to the gallery on the first floor. Among the carvings of the staircase you can also find three hidden animals (frog, bird, lizard). Leistler’s company made all the decorative woodwork seen throughout the chateau, including the cassetted ceilings. This particular ceiling is made from oak and lime (linden) tree. Above the staircase there is a small wing altar which dates from the turn of the 15th century. It symbolizes the family tree of Jesus Christ and is decorated with ebony. The technique of chiaroscuro was used to paint the picture of Saint Hubert. Its inspiration was posssibly a graphic by Albrecht Dürrer. The statue of a nymph is made from tin and lead and was sculpted in the 19th century. The vessels for aromatic ointments come from China. In the library you can mostly find encyclopedias, dictionaries, plans of land, books about art and architecture, as well museum and auction catalogues. The books are written in German, English, French and Latin. Before leaving the library notice also the portal, one of the most delicate architectural details in the interiors.

The tie-beam ceiling of the Red smoking hall is made from larch with richly-carved ornaments in walnut. The twelve coats-of-arms which decorate the ceiling beams belong to the families which were related to the family of Liechtenstein. A glass door connects the Red hall with the greenhouse, which was built during the years 1843–1845 by the architect Peter Hubert Desvignes. It is 92 meters long (300 feet), 13 meters wide (45 feet) and 10 meters high (33 feet). About 250 types and kinds of tropical and subtropical plants grow there. At that time it was truly technologically unique. Above the windows there are two eagles. This motif is repeated throughout the chateau, for instance on wallpapers and on chandeliers, because it is part of the coat-of-arms of the Liechtensteins. The eagle with the bird’s head belongs to the principality of Selesia and the second one with the girl’s head to the county of Rietberg in East Friesia (Germany). A small statue on a fireplace depicts Ulrich of Liechtenstein as a Roman warrior.

In the Blue hall the tour through this fairy-tale summer house ends. Enjoy your stay in the Romantic chateau park. We recommend you visit the greenhouse, Janohrad with its hunting collections, or to walk through the park to the minaret. Enjoy this „natural“ park landscape, truly unique in Europe!

Thank you very much for your visit!