ÿþ<html> <head> <title>Lednice and Valtice, about Unesco Heritage Towns!</title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="town-styles.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="nav-bar.css" /> </head> <body> <h2>Lednice - Valtice area  the largest manmade landscape in the country</h2> <p><strong>The Lednice - Valtice area was added to UNESCO s list of world cultural heritage sites in 1996. Measuring 200km2, it is one of the largest manmade landscape projects in Europe. It was created from the 17th to the 20th century on an estate belonging to the Liechtenstein family. Along with the Baroque chateau in Valtice and the neo-Gothic chateau in Lednice, the area also contains numerous other neo-classical follies set in countryside shaped employing the principles of 19th century landscaping. </strong></p> <p>For centuries the Liechtenstein family created and shaped a landscape which now draws tourists from around the globe. Sometimes called the  Garden of Europe , the Lednice - Valtice area stretches between two noble residences set in beautiful parkland, dotted with manmade lakes and follies. Famous architects such as Tencalla, Martinelli, Fischer von Erlach and Ospel worked on the huge Baroque complex.</p> <p>The idyllic Lednice Chateau is situated in extensive parkland on the banks of the River Dyje. A Tudor style neo-Gothic reconstruction project in 1846 1858, carried out by JiYí Wingelmüller, gave the chateau its current appearance. For the most part, the Baroque walls were left intact, but the façade was given a new look, and several features were added such as crenellations, balconies, mock oriel windows, chimneys and towers. The interiors were also given a neo-Gothic makeover and contain some beautiful examples of carved wood decoration. Some of the highlights are the spiral staircase in the library, the lime wood panelled ceiling in the Blue Salon, the sculpture of the  Tree of Life made of ivory and the marble fireplaces. The grounds of Lednice Chateau contain an early Baroque riding school, a mock minaret in the pseudo-Moorish style built by the architect Josef Hardtmuth and a glasshouse built to imitate the Winter Gardens in London. The recently renovated hothouse dating from the mid 19th century, and housing a collection of tropical and subtropical flora, is the oldest in Europe. Valtice Chateau stands on the site of a late 12th-century castle which belonged to the Bishop of Passau. In 1395 it was bought by the Liechtensteins who rebuilt it several times. In the 16th century they transformed it into a Renaissance chateau, but during the Thirty Years War it was badly damaged by the Swedish army. The partially destroyed building was later rebuilt into the Baroque residence we see today. The work took until 1730 and was carried out by such great names of the time such as Fischer von Erlach, Martinelli and many others.</p> <p>The idyllic Lednice Chateau is situated in extensive parkland on the banks of the River Dyje. A Tudor style neo-Gothic reconstruction project in 1846 1858, carried out by JiYí Wingelmüller, gave the chateau its current appearance. For the most part, the Baroque walls were left intact, but the façade was given a new look, and several features were added such as crenellations, balconies, mock oriel windows, chimneys and towers. The interiors were also given a neo-Gothic makeover and contain some beautiful examples of carved wood decoration. Some of the highlights are the spiral staircase in the library, the lime wood panelled ceiling in the Blue Salon, the sculpture of the  Tree of Life made of ivory and the marble fireplaces. The grounds of Lednice Chateau contain an early Baroque riding school, a mock minaret in the pseudo-Moorish style built by the architect Josef Hardtmuth and a glasshouse built to imitate the Winter Gardens in London. The recently renovated hothouse dating from the mid 19th century, and housing a collection of tropical and subtropical flora, is the oldest in Europe. Valtice Chateau stands on the site of a late 12th-century castle which belonged to the Bishop of Passau. In 1395 it was bought by the Liechtensteins who rebuilt it several times. In the 16th century they transformed it into a Renaissance chateau, but during the Thirty Years War it was badly damaged by the Swedish army. The partially destroyed building was later rebuilt into the Baroque residence we see today. The work took until 1730 and was carried out by such great names of the time such as Fischer von Erlach, Martinelli and many others.</p> <p>Over time, the Liechtensteins also created a beautiful landscape around the two chateaux. They had a row of trees planted to mark the route between their two residences creating one single area. This landscape gained its final appearance in the Romantic 19th century. Follies were constructed in the English style park such as Apollo s Temple, the neo-classical TYi Grácie and a small castle marking the old border between Moravia and Austria. The landscape is enhanced with numerous lakes, parks and forests containing some rare species of tree. </p> <p>The Lednice - Valtice area is situated in a region also known for its wine. For centuries wine from the area has found its way onto the tables of Czech kings and Holy Roman Emperors. UNESCO has recognised the natural beauty of the region by listing the Pálava area as a biosphere reserve.</p> <br /> <br /> <div id="navbar"> <ul><li><a href="index.html" class="current">Home</a></li> </div> </body> </html>