Vranov Chateau, Czech Republic
A Castle on the Cliff over the Dyje River, Moravia
The Czech Republic, like much of Eastern Europe, is renowned for picturesque chateaux and castles. The Vranov Chateau in southern Moravia is a cliff-top masterpiece.
If you're lucky enough to spend some time exploring the Czech countryside, you might stumble across one of the most spectacularly located chateaux in Eastern Europe. In South Moravia near the Austrian border, Vranov Chateau hangs onto a cliff for dear life.
History of Vranov Chateau
This magnificent castle began life as a boundary lookout back around 1100 - when you see the location it's easy to see why, as from this cliff-top position it must have been easy to see enemies approaching from every direction. The core of the castle is Gothic and was built in the fourteenth century, but most of the building is seventeenth century baroque, starting in 1687. Only at the end of the eighteenth century was the main structure of the castle completed, when the southern and western wings were built, and the inside was furnished with a classicist touch.
What to See at Vranov Chateau
After looking around the grounds of Vranov Chateau, you can take a guided tour through the castle. English tours are also available, but note that the complex is closed during winter and opens only on weekend during spring and fall.
When looking around inside the Vranov Chateau, it's the Hall of the Ancestors which will be most striking. Decorated with wonderful frescoes, it's this part of the castle that looks like it's about to jump off the end of the cliff.
Taking a short walk along the river will also give you stunning - and very photogenic - views of the castle. A small bridge crosses the river at just the right distance to take poster-like photos.
Finding Vranov Chateau
Vranov Chateau can be found on the Dyje River less than a mile uphill from the small Czech town of Vranov Nad Dyji. This town is in the south of the Moravia region of the Czech Republic, west of Znojmo and very close to the border with Austria. Bus connections to Znojmo run throughout the day; the central town of Znojmo can be reached easily by bus or train from Brno and from Prague with a three-hour bus trip.
More information:
Read more about Vranov Chateau and its surroundings at this site.
Read more about travel in the Czech Republic in this article, Prague's Astronomical Clock; or read about another favorite castle, Slovakia's Bojnice Castle.
