Radun Chateau – A Not-So-Royal Residence

Having spent a few hours exploring the nearby Opava (the Czech Republic), we reached Radun village just after lunch. We disembarked from the van and walked towards the chateau hidden by the foliage to reach a large pond. My first glimpse of this beautiful chateau made me gasp. Have a shooting star form an arc over it, and you have the Disney logo. To me, that’s what Radun Chateau looked like. 

The view of Radun Chateau across the pond is one of the most beautiful. The shore offers places where you look at one of the most romantic castles and see its reflection in the water.

A formal dining set up in Radun Chateau - Travelure ©
A formal dining set up in Radun Chateau

Radun Chateau History

During the 16th century, well-heeled aristocrats built lavish renaissance residences across Europe. Even Gillet Berthelot, a clerk close to the French King, harboured an ambition to build a similar luxurious Renaissance mansion for himself. He took over a 1475 CE structure and remodelled it in the late 16th century. So, it came about as a residence of a clerk, and not as an aristocratic abode.

High tea lounge - Travelure ©
High tea lounge

Berthelot could not enjoy it for long as the king uncovered his financial subterfuges. Fearing the worst, he fled. This background reminded me of the story of Nicolas Fouquet, the aristocrat who built Chateau Vaux le Vicomte in Maincy, France. 

Even the later occupants of Radun Chateau did not have it easy. Jirik Tvorkovsky, a scion of an established aristocratic family, did not live to see its rebuilding completed. First, a fire destroyed it. And then, just before completion, he died.

A casual sitting lounge in the chateau - Travelure ©
A casual sitting lounge in the chateau

Subsequent owners were more fortunate. Not only could they finish the construction but also redid the chateau park, and added an Orangery. Over the centuries, the chateau has undergone many reconstructions. Little wonder it displays the features from a variety of architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and Classicism. Overall, today the architectural style would qualify as Neo-Gothic Romantic.

Aristocratic transportation of infant aristocrats on display in the chateau - Travelure ©
Aristocratic transportation of infant aristocrats on display in the chateau

Radun Chateau Now

The state confiscated the chateau and its estate in 1947. They built apartments and an apprentice school here. In 1963, they adapted it to house a primary and a nursery school. Later, it functioned as a municipal office, a cinema, a health centre, and a library. The District National Committee took over the complex in 1978 and, after repairing it, turned it into a historical monument.

It does remind of Disney logo - Travelure ©
It does remind of Disney logo

The National Heritage Institute (NHI) conducted a slow acquisition activity of furnishings and collections to restore the chateau’s public salons and private rooms. Today, the NHI manages the complex and has brought back its former glory. The rooms within look lived in, yet well-maintained. A striking aspect of the interiors is the various table settings in the rooms, be it the formal dining table, casual lounge seating, or elaborate and aesthetic tea service. It is all so regal and stylish!

The visitors can spend a peaceful day in its spread-out gardens, relax by one of its four ponds, and check out the opulent lifestyle of the medieval aristocracy. 

Pin this not-so-royal residence!

Comments

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Terrific Ajay! We will meet up when the pandemic is done. I am at Haralur Road, Sarjapur. Mathew 9740080263

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