Characteristics of Chateaux in Czech republic

Chateaux in Czech republic belong to the category of real estate that invites interest of the foreign investors. In Czechia there are many interesting objects in that category for sale. The country was saved of many wars that devastated many neighbouring countries and so ther are very many historical buildigs available. Both first and second world was have avoided the territory of Czechia.

In the Czech republic there are approximately 900 castles and chateaux, out of this number 60 have been declared national cultural monuments. For such a small country like Czechia this is quite a lot. Majority of chateaux in Czechia is built in the style of renaissance and baroque. Chateaux and manors in the renaissance style are mainly from the 16th century. These chateaux have elegant arcades, geometrical gardens with fountains and sculptures. Beginning from the 17th century the baroque style starts to prevail. And in the first half of the 18th century the baroque gradually gives way to rococo. Rococo has been mainly applied to the interieurs. Later it was replaced by neoclassicism that has become dominant in Bohemia from the middle of 18th century.

19th century has become the century of historical romanticism, that itself actually is not a style in its own right, being rather a mixture inspired mainly by English and German examples. That period has left us many chateaux and manors. It was the time when even older castles and chateaux were getting new facades, towers and battlements.

Chateaux in Czech republic have in the time of socialism belonged to the state, with the exception of some smaller buildings that their owners in individual cases could keep. At this moment there are still many chateaux that belong either to the state or to municipalities. Large numbers are privately owner, either by their original prewar owners or by businessmen that have privatised them.

During socialist period great many of these historical buildings were used as museums, schools, art galleries, hospitals or army barracs. Sometimes this utilisation has saved the buildings from devastation. Sometimes the buildings were just refurbished, sometimes the new interiors were built in. Now the owners remove these additions and very often discover behid these additions frescoes and reliefs of original vaulting. There are however also cases where precious architectural elements were damaged or lost.

Prices of the chateaux in Czech republic

At this moment some 20 large castles and chateaux are for sale in Czechia. By large I mean those that have some 2 500 sq. meters or more. Then there are some 60 smaller properties vor sale. These smaller properties have mainly been built in the 19th centruy in the period of romanticism. The price of larger properties varies from 400 000 Euro to 5 mil. Euro. The price of smaller properties can begin at the level of 200 000 Euro. The differences in price are mainly given by the distance of the property from Prague, or sometimes from the German motorways.

Palaces and other historical buildings in Prague

Historical palaces in Czechia that are for sale can be mainly found in Prague. The Old City in Prague is full of palaces. Large part of palaces in Prague is in private hands, about 80 % of them have recently been refurbished and are utilised as hotels or luxury residences. At this moment there are 4 historical palaces for sale in Prague that are in the style of renaissance and baroque. There are some 20 historical houses in the renaissance and baroque style for sale in Prague at the moment. Most of fine historical houses that are for sale in Prague are built in the art nouveau style. Prague is proud of having one of the highest numbers of houses built in this style in Europe.

Prices of the palaces in the baroque and renaissance style vary but mostly are expressed in tenths of millions of Euro. Most of these buildings are in the very historical centre of the city. Houses in baroque style can be bought in Prague for some 4 mil. euro. Apartment houses in the art nouveau in Prague can be acquired for less than 2 mil. Euro, sometimes for less than 1 mil. euro., depending on the location.