The Belveder Chateau near Valtice has opened, it is accessible to the public for the first time

Valtice (Břeclavsko) – The reconstructed Belveder castle near the Valtice Castle had its ceremonial opening today; it is the last structure, known as the salet, in the Lednice-Valtice area that has not been accessible to the public until now. The program for the opening included, for example, a cimbalom band and a puppet performance for children, with the highlight being a ceremonial fireworks display planned for after dark. Lenka Beránková from the management of Valtice Castle told ČTK that about 500 people attended.

"The castle has never been accessible to the public in the past, so we are glad that it is now. Admission is free. Visitors can see an exhibition of ceramic figures by sculptor Jaroslav Homola in the main hall, which includes about 90 figures on various themes," Beránková stated. A café is already in operation, where visitors can sit, and there is also a wine tasting machine featuring 32 samples of wines from Valtice winemakers.

The Belveder lodge was built in 1806 on the so-called Fox Hill near Valtice, probably according to a design by Joseph Hardtmuth, the prince's builder and architect at the time. The Belveder was originally intended as the center of a pheasantry. After 1945, it became part of the local state farm, housing apartments and grain storage.

The completely devastated castle was taken over by the National Heritage Institute at the end of the last millennium. Its restoration began with the replacement of roofs affected by woodworm and gradual modifications of the interiors. The reconstruction was completed at the turn of the year, with a 20-year process of gradual repairs. The work cost 12 million crowns.

According to the castle management, the lodge is expected to become a place for pleasant meetings, with exhibitions continuing in the octagonal main hall. The castle management plans to also allow rentals for private and family events in the Belveder. Besides the rescue and restoration of the building itself, it will also be necessary to adapt the ten-hectare park that surrounds the lodge in the future.