Minarett

The Minaret, also known as the Turkish Tower is a building constructed on the axis of the chateau. This attractive spire was built by Alois Josef I. according to architect Josef Hardtmuth´s plans at the turn of the 18th and 19th century. It is an exceptional construction of this type in Europe and being almost 60 meters high it is also one of the tallest minarets in Europe

The tower was built on marshy ground from stone blocks, often heavier than 100 kg. Hired workers reinforced the foundations using 500 wooden poles which were over 17 meters long. To ensure a uniform distribution of the weight of the object, a grid made of 96 strong tree trunks fastened with iron clips was laid over the poles.

The lower part of the tower has eight rooms with ceilings, walls and floors richly decorated with oriental ornaments. According to experts, this decorative work was carried out by artists from Arab countries. The minaret served primarily as a lookout tower from which the whole area could be overlooked. The Liechtensteins placed their exotic collections on the first floor. The tower has three ramparts, the highest rampart is accessible by self-supporting spiral stone staircase counting 302 steps. To build the tower according to the architect´s plans, carpenters erected a spindle-like scaffolding (so called Turkish scaffolding). But because such scaffolding was very unusual in Europe at that time, the construction workers distrusted its design and they had to be convinced that it is reliable by a cavalry corporal from the nearby chateau stables. The corporal rode his horse on the scaffolding and returned safely back the same way. None of the workers suffered any serious injury during the construction work.

The walls of the minaret are covered with Arab inscriptions. Dr. Andreas Trieb redrew the inscriptions and translated them into German (the translation has been confirmed in modern times by workers of the Náprstek museum). These are quotations of Quran. The sign above the door says: There is no God except Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.

On the right: The world has betrayed its inhabitants, so be warry of them and know that it is gratifying for you to do so. Do not dismount from your saddle in this world if you want to avoid your misfortune on the road and do not tempt its treasures or you will encounter that which is good only in the other world.

On the back side: Science is for the work-loving people like a mortar for a mason and work is like a rope tied to a bucket on a windlass for a water drawer.  Without mortar there would be no houses and without the rope there would be no water to quench the thirst. Whoever desires perfection is diligent and worth following.

On the left wall: When the fate is against you, human plans lose their validity. When God-sent destiny reaches a man, his plan will turn to nothing, his efforts are in vain, he loses his judgement about what is beneficial for him and what leads to success – he loses his way to salvation and prosperity.

Opening hours

Period Days Hours
29. 3.-30. 4. tue–sun 9.00 – 16.00
1. 4. mon 9.00 – 16.00
1. 5.-30. 6. tue–sun 9.00 – 17.00
1. 7.-31. 8. mon–sun 9.00 – 17.00
1. 9.-30. 9. tue–sun 9.00 – 17.00
1. 10.-31. 10. tue–sun 9.00 – 16.00
28. 10. mon 9.00 – 16.00

Admission

Minarett is without guide
  • Adults 25 up to 64 years 100 CZK
  • Seniors 65+ 80 CZK
  • Youth 18 up to 24 years 80 CZK
  • Persons with disabilities with valid identification card/certificate 80 CZK
  • Children 6 up to 17 years 30 CZK
  • Children under 5 years free
  • Person accompanying a disabled person free
  • Person accompanying a school group of 10 students free
  • Guide accompanying a group of at least 15 persons free
  • "MK ČR" card not available
  • ICOMOS card not available
  • Seasonal NPÚ ticket free
  • Single NPÚ tickets free
  • NPÚ card free
  • "Náš člověk" card free

Other tours

The representative halls are located on the ground floor of the chateau – they served as venue for social events, balls etc.

this tour is available today 11.00 – 14.00

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 300 Kč (full admission) 2F500991-B0F5-4AC5-9B90-2BBFBDCDFC45 Buy ticket

71B5B7E7-ACEA-4214-84EB-20FF073CEC43 duration 45 minutes

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 max. 45 people

Group reservation needed for groups only

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The private princes´ apartments on the first floor of the chateau served the princely family until 1945. Between 1950´s and 2001 there were exhibits of the Agricultural Museum. Since 2001, the apartments have been redecorated with original inventory according to historical listings and form a separate circuit.

this tour is not available today

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 300 Kč (full admission) 2F500991-B0F5-4AC5-9B90-2BBFBDCDFC45 Buy ticket

71B5B7E7-ACEA-4214-84EB-20FF073CEC43 duration 45 minutes

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 max. 25 people

Group reservation needed for groups only

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The princes´ and princesses´ children rooms and Milan Knížák´s puppet museum are located on the second floor of the chateau.

this tour is not available today

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 240 Kč (full admission) 2F500991-B0F5-4AC5-9B90-2BBFBDCDFC45 Buy ticket

71B5B7E7-ACEA-4214-84EB-20FF073CEC43 duration 45 minutes

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 max. 20 people

Group reservation needed for groups only

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An artificial Baroque stalactite cave in the chateau´s cellar.

this tour is not available today

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 120 Kč (full admission)

71B5B7E7-ACEA-4214-84EB-20FF073CEC43 duration 20 minutes

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 max. 20 people

Group reservation needed for groups only

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Greenhouse - was build 1843-45 to Georg Wingelmüller`s design.

this tour is not available today

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 140 Kč (full admission)

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 unlimited

Group reservation not necessary

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The newly restored halls are located on the first floor of the minaret and are open to public

this tour is not available today

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 180 Kč (full admission) 2F500991-B0F5-4AC5-9B90-2BBFBDCDFC45 Buy ticket

71B5B7E7-ACEA-4214-84EB-20FF073CEC43 duration 30 minutes

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 max. 15 people

Group reservation recommended

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The castle was built next to a game reserve in a place surrounded from three sides by the river Dyje. It served as a hunting lodge – a gathering place before the hunt and the place of celebrations at the end of the hunting season. Rich banquets were held here after the hunts during which the king of the hunt was announced. The object also served...

this tour is not available today

4F17A2ED-8B52-4F67-8D80-EE0130BE50BE 140 Kč (full admission) 2F500991-B0F5-4AC5-9B90-2BBFBDCDFC45 Buy ticket

71B5B7E7-ACEA-4214-84EB-20FF073CEC43 duration 25 minutes

94D4AB38-6EA4-4B19-9C7F-17B845D49188 max. 30 people

Group reservation needed for groups only

More information