In the town of Plumlov an unmistakable landmark perches on a rocky hill looming over the Hloučela stream: Plumlov Castle, one of our country’s strangest buildings. The proportions of the gloomy structure, built in the Mannerism style, bring to mind something like a huge old-fashioned high-rise. It was built in the 17th century by Hans-Adam, Prince of Liechtenstein, when he was only 20 years old. The illogical dimensions of the castle were chosen at the time it was built with the anticipation of the construction of a grand four-wing structure, which his father, Prince Karl Eusebius, had originally planned to build on this site. In the end, however, only one of the wings was built.
The castle has an unusual appearance, since it is actually only one wing from the originally planned four-wing building. It has a total of six storeys, with two floors and three mezzanines. The individual floors are connected by the main staircase in the western side and a spiral staircase for the servants on the eastern side of the castle. The courtyard façade connects a floor and mezzanine with one row of freestanding columns, terminated by complicated capitals. The individual floors are divided by cornices, under which stucco friezes run the length of the building. The bottoms of the windows of the main floors are decorated by tapered balustrades.
“Plumlov Castle is somewhat neglected by filmmakers, which is unfortunate. A student film is shot here once or twice a year, but we are also open to cooperation with professional film and advertisement crews. Unlike some better-known state castles and chateaus, for example, we have the advantage of being less frequented by tourists. It is even possible to shoot here in the summer, in the tourist season. It all depends on the agreement,” stated castellan Pavel Zástěra.
The castle was built in the years 1680-1688 next to the original Plumlov Castle, which had been standing here since the 2nd half of the 13th century. The Liechtensteins bought Plumlov along with the castle in 1599 from the creditors of the indebted John of Pernstein. The Liechtensteins decided to make only the most necessary repairs to the castle and then to build a new one. Both castles stood next to one another until the year 1801, when both of the buildings were damaged in a windstorm. The owner of the time had the older castle demolished.
Twenty-year-old Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein took charge of the construction of Plumlov Castle. According to the original concept from his father, Prince Karl Eusebius, who was strongly influenced by the Italian renaissance, it was to have been the most magnificent structure in Moravia, with a square four-wing floor plan and two rows of rooms in all of the wings. Hans-Adam, however, had only one row of rooms built instead of two, facing the south and connected by a long hallway situated on the northern side. He also rejected his father’s design to decorate the internal façade facing the fish pond with columns as well. After the death of the old Prince the interest in continuing the construction died off. It was not until 1692 that four of the rooms were furnished, so that the Liechtensteins would have a place to stay during their occasional visits to Plumlov.
The most valuable part of the castle interior is the stuccoed hall from 1686. The painted decoration of the ceilings on the first and second floors, featuring scenes from antiquity, is the work of Jiří Greiner, who used Virgil’s Aeneid as inspiration. According to the castellan, lovers of art history primarily seek the baroque stucco and frescoes on the fifth floor, because they have not been restored. The two basement floors have also been opened to the public. Nowadays the castellan holds interesting cultural events here.
Plumlov Castle has been owned by the town of Plumlov since 1994.
Contact the Czech Film Commission or one of the many local location managers for more information about this and other locations.
