The castle of Kratochvíle has returned to the splendor of its golden days after renovation

Netolice (Prachaticko) - The castle Kratochvíle near Netolice has regained the shine of its golden times after renovation, during which this summer residence of the Rožmberks and Eggenbergs was primarily dedicated to rest, entertainment, and feasting. Today, heritage preservationists presented the renovated upper floor of the Renaissance villa in all its splendor, with the Great Golden Hall being its highlight, representing the pinnacle of Renaissance stucco art. The public can view the unique spaces starting from Tuesday, said the castle curator Vojtěch Troup to reporters.
    The purely Renaissance villa Kratochvíle is undergoing a transformation after more than 30 years, during which it primarily served as an exhibition for animated films, and visitors couldn't really appreciate the beauty of the interiors. Now, the interiors reflect the time of the last Rožmberks - Vilém of Rožmberk and Petr Vok, spanning the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
    "This space was created for joy, and we want joy to return to its walls," Troup said during the opening of the castle. According to him, unlike most landmarks, Kratochvíle was not a witness to violence and evil, so it does not bear the weight of a fateful house.
    According to heritage preservationists, the castle is expected to remain primarily a calm and welcoming place that serves for pleasure, rest, and recreation. General Director of the National Heritage Institute Pavel Jerie explained that Kratochvíle had a unique opportunity to retain its original appearance because at one point it had lost its function. "It was used for agricultural purposes, indeed devastated, but not remodeled," Jerie stated. The Renaissance garden villa is considered a unique monument even on a national scale.
    In the first floor of the villa, visitors will see for the first time this season the study and bedroom of Petr Vok, the Great Hall, the Golden Room, and the Ruler's Room. The highlight of the tour is the Great Golden Hall, which today has regained the atmosphere of a grand feast with richly set tables and musicians. Restorers worked here for a year, and the result is astounding, said Petr Pavelec, the director of South Bohemian heritage preservationists to ČTK.
    The biggest decoration of the hall is the stucco ceiling decoration based on motifs of Roman history. "A particularity is that during the restoration, period graphic templates from 1580 were found, according to which it was made. Thanks to this, we could reconstruct even the lost scenes," Pavelec specified. Hand-painted tiles on the floor, made according to the original flooring, will also capture attention.
    The renewal of the entire structure is planned until 2010 under the motto Renaissance of Renaissance. A special feature here is that visitors can watch restorers at work.
    The public can visit the site daily except on Mondays from 9:00 to 17:15. True to its name, Kratochvíle is also a popular cultural venue. For example, the Theater Summer organized by the Society of Amateur Theatrical Artists Tyl Netolice has a long tradition at the castle. This year, the society has prepared the fairy tale The Proud Princess, which will be performed for nine evenings from June 27 to July 13. The successful performance of last year, Tricks with the Devil, will also return for three evenings from June 20 to June 22.