Lazne Kynzvart Things to Do Tips by globetrott

Lazne Kynzvart / Bad Koenigswart

Just 6 Km off Marianske Lazne / Marienbad you may visit Lazne Kynzvart Zamek ( Schloss Bad Koenigswart ) , one of the castles of Klemens Wenzel Lothar, Fuerst von Metternich - Winneburg ( 1773 - 1859 ).
That is quite a long name for the former Austrian chancellor and foreign minister , Fuerst Metternich, well known by the Vienna Congress of 1815.

Directions: Between Cheb / Eger and Marianske Lazne / Marienbad

The castle interior

25 rooms of the castle may be visited - only by a guided tour:
The famous library with more than 25.000 books, a table that Metternich used during the Vienna Congress, a billiard-table he got as a present by Tzar Nicolaus I., old weapons, the chappel , the egyptian saloon and a lot more...

Once again, Photography is forbidden inside the castle, and therefore I made this pic from OUTside, through one of the windows, beeing opened ( so this was another advantage of the hot summer in 2003 )
;-)

Directions: Inside the castle, when sneeking through the windows...

3 shells at the entrance

these 3 shells are part of the code of arms of the Metternich-family. Watch out for them, when entering the castle.

" Der Kongress tanzt "( "The Congress is dancing") was mostly the answer, when people talked about the new facts of the Vienna Congress in 1815, as the first time in history negotiations about peace and future borders of the various countries in Europe were not simply a matter of " dry talks on a round table " BUT mainly a big ball and lots of great festivities...

...Just an idea for Tony,Vladimir,George and Os'ma and all the others maybe, as dancing with guns and bombs is simply just half of the fun

Directions: At the entrance of the castle

The castle built by Pietro Nobile

The castle was built between 1820 and 1833 by Pietro Nobile, as one of the many castles for Fuerst Metternich.
The castle is a bit out of the village today, surrounded by a huge park with a river, a small lake and a water-mill.
The castle was recently restored and looks perfect with the fountain in the cenre of the 1st court.

Directions: In the first court of the castle

Website: http://www.hrady-zamky.cz/zamek-kynzvart/default_en.asp

Falconry in Lazne Knyzvart

Inside the park of Lazne Kynzvart / Bad Koenigswart there will be shows of falconry during the summer, and a small show with armitage and old weapons behind that curtain.
Not really my kind of amusement, but lots of people enjoy it, mainly children and " young at hearts "...

Directions: In the castle-park

Take a walk in the park

Walking in the park mght take the whole afternoon, if you like to see everything, but 45 minutes will be enough, when you simply walk to the lake, see the old watermill, and the small island with a summerhut on it ( the island is the background-pic of my map, I show at the transportation-tips )
On my pic here you see the castle in the back again.

Directions: In the park of the castle

Lady? Diana in the park

On the back of the castle you will see some great sculptures like this one of not Lady, but Diana, goddess of hunting...
Also on the back you see the code of arms of the Metternich family and also the terrace of the castle-restaurant that offers a great view on the park and the lake, and coffee, icecream or snacks at rather modest prices.

Lazne Kynzvart - Great details

The state of restoration is really perfect : simply have a look on the balcony, just on top of the castle-entrance.
Every detail was restored perfectely and looks almost a bit unreal and too perfect to be true.

Directions: This balcony is on top of the castle-entrance

The code of arms

The code of arms of the Metternich-family may be seen under the roof of the castle.
When you are there on a sunny day, you will see it like this, with all the golden ornaments shining.
Umong others you will see again the code of the 3 shells, you saw already at the entrance of the castle.

Btw. Most people TODAY know Fuerst Metternich mainly as a brand of a great Sekt / Sparkling wine produced by the family Metternich in the various vinyards and castles still in their posession ( like Grafenegg in Austria, to be seen on my Grafenegg-page )

Directions: under the roof of the castle

A door-handle, Metternich-style

Watch out for the really beautiful door-handle at the main entrance-gate and all the doors to the castle :
The handle was made in the shape of a Sphynx.
When you click on my pic, you will be able to see the great details of the small sculpture.

These kind of door-handles in the shape of animals or persons are to be found at many places in Czechia.
The best excemple is in my opinion in Hluboka nad Vltava - a raven, picking out the eye of a turk ( as a symbol for the Schwarzenberg-family, who could once win a battle over the turks )

Directions: At all the doors of the castle