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Best Things to See in Enchanting Kroměříž

8/27/2018

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The Great Town Square of Kromeriz

​We arrived in the town of Kroměříž, Czech Republic in the hot afternoon of a July summer sun. At first sight, the baroque-style buildings looked dainty in their pastel-hued colors surrounding the cobbled-stone town square dating from the 13th century making for an intriguing allure to want to go and explore. The Marian Column with the Virgin Mary on it stands out in the square and is a reminder of the plague that struck the town in the 1713 for 2 years. As with many Czech towns, there is much history to be discovered going back many centuries. ​
The Marian Column in the Town Square of Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Pretty Flowers Adorn the Town Square, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Town Square with Church in background, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
The Clock Tower on the corner of the Town Square, Kromeriz, Czech Republic

Hotel La Fresca where actor Tom Hulce stayed during filming Amadeus

Hotel La Fresca, Kromeriz, Czech RepublicHotel La Fresca, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
​Before exploring, we checked into the Hotel La Fresca, a historic Hotel facing the square, with a restaurant out front serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. ​
My room was on the 3rd floor (there is a hotel elevator) facing the back, but it had a very good working air-conditioning unit over the door which I quickly turned down to cool off the room. The room was really cute, with an iron framed double-bed, desk with chair, large armoire and a separate en suite. I slept comfortably (and coolly) and found out from my FAM mates that the rooms facing the square were a bit noisier due to all-night partiers in the square. Plus those rooms didn’t have A/C but some had a bathtub. 

Chateau and Tower Tour

The next morning we were scheduled for a lot of activity in one day as is common on FAM trips. We started with a walk to the Chateau Kroměříž : Archbishop’s Palace
The Archbishop’s Château and Gardens are among the most attractive and historical places in the Czech Republic. This is evidenced by the fact that the Archbishop’s Château, the Flower Garden and the Château Garden were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1998. In the interior courtyard and foyer entrance are some marvelous marble statues.
Statue in the courtyard of the Archbishop Chateau, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Statue in the foyer of the Archbishop Chateau, Kromeriz
Cannon in the foyer of the Archbishop Chateau, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Look up! Gesturing Statue in the foyer of Archbishop Chateau, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Starting the tour of the chateau we went into the trophy hunting room where hundreds of stuffed animal heads, guns, and a large pool table are featured. This room was furnished for a meeting between the Russian Czar Alexander III and Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I. The room in which they held their meeting in August of 1885 was called the Czar’s room. It is done mostly in a rich burgundy color with many paintings on the wall, exquisite marble statues, diamond chandeliers, marble console tables, and intricate tapestries all lend for a lavish décor.
Deer Head Trophies, Hunting Hall, Kromeriz Chateau
Pool Table in the Hunting Hall, Kromeriz Chateau
Pair of stuffed birds on table in hunting hall, Kromeriz Chateau
Dozens of animal trophy heads in the hunting hall, Kromeriz Chateau
Pool table up close, hunting hall, Kromeriz Chateau
Gold books, Quartz stones on table in hunting hall, Kromeriz Chateau
Marble table on pedestal, Kromeriz Castle
Marble console, parquet floor, side view of Virgin Mary, Czar room, Kromeriz Castle
Virgin Mary gazing down upon you, Czar room, Kromeriz Chateau
​From the windows of the Czar room one can look out to the chateau gardens below. 
Gardens of the Kromeriz Archbishop Castle
Archbishop Gardens Kromeriz Castle
​“The painting collection of the Archbishopric of Olomouc is the second most valuable in the Czech Republic after the National Gallery in Prague.” 
Painting of the Pope, Kromeriz Castle
Painting of the Pope, Kromeriz Castle

Where scenes in the movie Amadeus were filmed

​Moving on to the next room, the Abbey or Church, one can gasp at the immense size and see the hundreds of light-blue and white chairs set up orderly. The 52-foot (16 meters) high ceiling is adorned with an intricate painting while the antique-white walls with touches of gold reflect the long hanging oversized diamond chandeliers. The floor-to-ceiling windows were open letting in a warm breeze and lots of beautiful sunlight danced around off the shiny decorations. There is a grand piano in the corner as music recitals are held here. Parts of the movie Amadeus were also filmed in this room. 

The Rooms in the Chateau

​The next rooms we visit are the “office” with a secretary desk, the Bishop’s personal bedroom displaying the Bishop’s clothing of the period and more intricately painted ceilings to remind one they should look above to the heavens. Further down is a sort of Judicial-type room where legal matters were addressed. Next was the music room, then the massive library with 4-ft tall spinning globes. After viewing this beautiful interior we headed outside making a quick stop at the chocolate shop on the bottom floor to get some quick energy before ascending the 300-steps to the medieval tower top. 
Secretary Desk
Bishop's Bed
Bishop's Garments
Ceiling in Bishop's room
Court room for legal matters
Bishop's armoire
Music room
Extensive Library
Where legal matters were decided
4-foot tall globe

Medieval Tower; a Cultural Monument in Czechia

​The views from atop the tower were breath-taking of Kromeriz and the surrounding countryside. You can walk all the way around the tower and read the plaques that orient you to which direction you are looking and what landmarks to look for. 
View above the Town Square Kromeriz
View above the Town Square Kromeriz
View down below to the courtyard of the chateau Kromeriz
Entranceway to town
Plaque with directions on what to see, Kromeriz tower
View of another church in Kromeriz
​On the way down there is a small exhibit with historical reference to the building of the tower. 
Above the history display inside the tower, Kromeriz
Window view of Kromeriz from inside the tower
History information of the Kromeriz tower
Going downstairs looking out the window to the street below, Kromeriz tower
​Back at the ground floor there is a gift shop. Standing floor posters explain the historical significance of this Moravian region as the D.O.M. which stands for Duchovni (Spiritual) Osa (Axis) of Moravy <Moravia> This axis includes the Archbishop’s Palace in Olomouc 35km away and the Archbishop’s Palace of Kromeriz. 
Spiritual Axis of Moravia - DOM
Spiritual Axis of Moravia - DOM
Sauntering outside behind to the immense Chateau gardens that span 64 hectares we hopped aboard a tram-train. There we saw trees, peacocks roaming peacefully everywhere, ponds, and small buildings with forgotten histories. There is a café with picnic tables and a children’s sandbox area. 
One of the many Peacocks & Peahens on the grounds
Chinese pagoda in the garden grounds
Our touring tram with young guide
Unusual tree that's been here for ages
The pond with lily pads
Armless, naked lady statue in the pond
Unidentified stone building on the garden grounds
Picnic tables and children's sandbox, Kromeriz, Czech
Cafe in the Archbishop Gardens, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Then to the city hall where we saw a wall mural done by the famous local artist born in Kromeriz, Max Švabinský
MAX SVABINSKY Mural in Kromeriz City Hall
MAX SVABINSKY Mural in Kromeriz City Hall
Finally stopping for lunch at the Cerny Orel or Black Eagle, we were also given a behind-the-scenes view of this restaurants beer brewery. The owner also showed us the adjacent chocolate shop they run and gave us some delicious samples.
Cerny Orel=Black Eagle Restaurant, Brewery, Hotel, Chocolate Shop, Kromeriz, Czech Republic
Yesterka Chocolate Shop behind the Cerny Orel Restaurant, Kromeriz
Chocolates infused with herbs and spices. Yesterka Chocoloate Shop, Kromeriz
​Next up was the outdoor Archbishop Flower Gardens which is its own park. The park is designed similar to Versailles in that there are geometric patterns ornately designed with hedges and flowers and plants placed in orderly fashion. ​In the center of this awe-inspiring wonderland is a rotunda that contains a pendulum hanging from a 25-foot wire. This is another nod to the French design as you can find a similar pendulum in the Pantheon in Paris.
The Colonnade, The Flower Gardens of Kromeriz
Pathway to the Rotunda, The Flower Gardens of Kromeriz
Looking out from the terrace above the colonnade
Looking out from the terrace above the colonnade
Looking out from the terrace above the colonnade to the arcada gallery below,Kromeriz Flower Gardens
Looking out from the terrace above the colonnade to the arcada gallery below, Kromeriz Flower Gardens
That was the end of touring Kromeriz for the day. Jumping back in the van, we were headed next for Luhacovice Spa Town.
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    Travalerie LLC is the travel company founded by Valerie Delzer in 2018. She likes easy adventuring and enjoys take-offs more than landings 

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