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TOP SIGHTS
KONOPIŠTĔ CHATEAU
Konopištĕ Chateau is not only a monument to the obsessions of early 20th-cen-
tury Habsburg aristocrats, but also an insight into one of the most famous
names in European history - the Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, heir to the
Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in 1914 sparked WWI.
You'll need a full day to make the most of a visit here: the walk to the chateau
passes through pleasant parkland, so try to choose a sunny day. Plan on doing one of
the guided tours of the chateau (Tour 3 is the best), and leave time to explore the
beautiful landscaped grounds that surround it.
The Chateau
Konopiště is a testament to the archduke's twin obsessions - hunting and St George.
Having renovated the massive Gothic and Renaissance building in the 1890s and in-
stalled all the latest technology - including electricity, central heating, flush toilets,
showers and a lift - Franz Ferdinand decorated his home with his hunting trophies.
His game books record that he shot about 300,000 creatures. About 100,000 animal
trophies adorn the walls. The crowded
Trophy Corridor
(Tour 1 and 3), with a
forest of mounted animal heads, and the antler-clad
Chamois Room
(Tour 3), with
its 'chandelier' fashioned from a stuffed condor, are truly bizarre sights.
The archduke's collection of art and artefacts relating to St George is no less im-
pressive, amounting to 3750 items, many of which are on show in the
St George
Museum
(muzeum sv Jiří; adult/child 30/15Kč;
10am-1pm & 1.30-5pm Sat & Sun Jun-Aug,
to 4pm Sep, closed Oct-May)
.
Tours
There are three guided tours in English. Tour 3 (adult/ child 310/210Kč) is the most
interesting, visiting the
private apartments
used by the archduke and his family,
which have remained unchanged since the state took possession of the chateau in
1921. Tour 2 (adult/child 210/130Kč) takes in the
Great Armoury
, one of the most
