Duchcov Chateau

The Baroque Duchcov Chateau is situated in North Bohemia near the spa town of Teplice. It was here where world renowned lover Giacomo Casanova worked as a librarian, wrote his memoirs and later died in 1798. Among its other famous visitors were many prominent personalities from the world of politics and culture, such as the Russian Tsar Alexander I, Prussian King Frederick William, Austrian Chancellor Metternich and artists like Goethe, Schiller and Beethoven.

History of the chateau

The chateau was built between 1675 and 1685 by Jan Frederick from Wallenstein on the site of an older Renaissance residence. In 1707, two new wings were added to the building and at the beginning of the 19^th century, it underwent a renovation in the Classicist style. Next to the chateau, there is a large English park and garden. The history of the chateau is linked to the Wallenstein family who lived there until 1921.

The chateau was decorated by the most prominent artists of the time, such as the sculptor Matthias Bernard Braun and painter Václav Vavřinec Reiner. Unfortunately, the 20^th century was unkind to the chateau. At the end of World War II, it was burned down by Soviet troops and the sculptures and rare wall paintings were destroyed. Its former glory is now documented only by faded photos.

What you can look forward to

The first guided tour bears the name of the Wallenstein family and maps their activities as collectors and patrons of art. Part of the route is the ceremonial staircase, the Wallenstein Hall with a family gallery and the premises of the restored picture gallery, where you can admire a valuable collection of paintings including works by Bartholomeus Spranger, Karl van Mander, Václav Vavřinec Reiner and Karel Škréta.

The second route called Casanova focuses on interesting moments from the chateau at the time when Giacomo Casanova worked there as librarian. The famous seducer and globetrotter lived in the chateau when he worked as librarian and companion of Count Joseph Karl Emanuel of Wallenstein.