Arcibiskupský zámek Kroměříž
Baroque residence of the Olomouc bishops and archbishops in Kroměříž, with representative halls, the Assembly Hall (Sněmovní sál), a picture gallery, a library and a tower. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Archbishop's Chateau in Kroměříž is one of the most important Baroque monuments in Moravia. For centuries it belonged to the Olomouc bishops and later archbishops, who used it as a representative residence and a venue for important negotiations. The first castle was built in the Middle Ages by Bishop Bruno of Schauenburg (1245–1281), who in 1261 raised the Kroměříž market settlement to the status of a town. The chateau received its present form later, under Bishop Stanislav I. Thurzo.
The chateau was heavily damaged by Swedish troops during the Thirty Years' War. In 1686–1698 Bishop Karel II of Lichtenštejn-Kastelkorn had it rebuilt as a Baroque residence, with the architects Filibert Lucches and Giovanni Pietro Tencalla. A great fire destroyed the second floor and part of the first. After repairs in 1752–1772, the rooms received new frescoes by Josef Stern and Franz Anton Maulbertsch. The Great Dining Room, two storeys high, is known as the Assembly Hall (Sněmovní sál): in autumn 1848 the Imperial Diet of the Austrian nations moved here, and an imperial manifesto dissolved it on 7 March 1849.
The chateau's picture gallery, founded in 1673, was greatly expanded under Karel II through the purchase of entire collections. According to the chateau, it is the second most important collection of paintings in the Czech Republic after the National Gallery (Národní galerie). The bishop also established an extensive library. In 1998 the chateau and its gardens were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The chateau is cared for by the Olomouc Archdiocese.
Highlights
- Assembly Hall with frescoes by Franz Anton Maulbertsch, site of the Imperial Diet in 1848–1849
- picture gallery – according to the chateau, the second most important collection of paintings in the Czech Republic
- Baroque library and the Manský sál (Vassals' Hall) with cabinets
- tower with the treasury and the Gardistka exhibition
- Sala Terrena and the Podzámecká zahrada (Garden below the Chateau) with guided tours
- inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1998)
Permanent exhibitions
- Cesta dědictví – Tour of the picture gallery, the Manský sál with cabinets, the library and the tower with the treasury.
- Reprezentační sály – Guided tour of the representative halls, including the Assembly Hall.
- Gardistka – A new exhibition in the chateau's Gardistka wing, visited without a guide.
- Operated by
- Arcibiskupství olomoucké (Arcibiskupský zámek a zahrady Kroměříž)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 450 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 300 Kčchildren up to 15, students up to 26 with a student card or ISIC, seniors over 65, and holders of a Senior Pass and of ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Children & teens | 300 Kčfree up to age 5 · children up to 15; children up to 6 free |
| Seniors | 300 Kčover 65 |
| Visitors with disabilities | 300 Kčcompanion free · holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards; ZTP/P companion free |
| Students & apprentices | 300 Kčup to 26 with a valid student card or ISIC |
| Groups (15+ people) | –groups of more than 15 people must be booked in advance; 1 companion free; school prices per pupil see the notes |
| Families | 1,200 Kč2 adults and 2–3 children under 15, and holders of family passes (Heritage Route) |
| Representative Route (Cesta reprezentace) – full price | 480 KčRepresentative Halls with a guide, and the Gardistka separately; about 95 minutes. |
| Representative Route – reduced | 320 Kč |
| Representative Route – family | 1,280 Kč |
| Representative Halls – full price | 350 KčAlways with a guide, 50 minutes. |
| Representative Halls – reduced | 240 Kč |
| Representative Halls – family | 940 Kč |
| Gardistka – full price | 170 KčWithout a guide, about 45 minutes. |
| Gardistka – reduced | 110 Kč |
| Gardistka – family | 450 Kč |
| Tower and Treasury – full price | 170 KčWithout a guide, about 30 minutes. |
| Tower and Treasury – reduced | 110 Kč |
| Tower and Treasury – family | 450 Kč |
| Sala Terrena – full price | 170 KčGuided tour, 45 minutes; tickets only at the chateau ticket office. |
| Sala Terrena – reduced | 110 Kč |
| Sala Terrena – family | 450 Kč |
| Podzámecká zahrada – guided tour – full price | 200 KčGuided tours from June, 60 minutes; entry to the garden itself is free. |
| Podzámecká zahrada – guided tour – reduced | 140 Kč |
| Podzámecká zahrada – guided tour – family | 540 Kč |
| Via UNESCO – full price | 580 KčSecond floor of the chateau, the treasury and the Květná zahrada (Flower Garden); individual visit without a guide. |
| Via UNESCO – reduced | 400 Kč |
| Paths to Art (Cesty za uměním) – full price | 600 KčKroměříž Chateau, Muzeum umění Olomouc and the Arcidiecézní palác Olomouc (Archdiocesan Palace Olomouc). |
| Paths to Art – reduced | 400 Kč |
| Paths to Art – family | 1,450 Kč |
| Advent at the Chateau – full price | 260 Kč50 minutes with a guide. |
| Advent at the Chateau – reduced | 180 Kč |
| Advent at the Chateau – family | 700 Kč |
| Advent – tower – full price | 90 Kč |
| Advent – tower – reduced | 70 Kč |
| Advent – tower – family | 270 Kč |
The price from the main offer applies to the Heritage Route (Cesta dědictví), with or without a guide. Admission to the courtyard and the Podzámecká zahrada is free. School prices per pupil: Representative Halls CZK 140, Heritage Route CZK 150, Baroque Library with Cyril CZK 100, Gardistka, Sala Terrena and the Podzámecká zahrada CZK 70 each, Tower and Treasury CZK 60. Two accompanying teachers enter free. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office (cash or card) or online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The chateau is not step-free; the gardens are. Dogs and bicycles may not enter the chateau or the gardens. Bicycle racks are at the gardens.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | 1,200 Kč · 2 adults and 2–3 children under 15, and holders of family passes (Heritage Route) |
- Family tours & workshops
School programmes are available for children. The family ticket applies to 2 adults and 2–3 children under 15.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
The chateau café operates in season: May–June on weekends, July–August Tuesday to Sunday, and September Tuesday to Sunday.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The chateau offers weddings and the hire of spaces.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 80 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tour lengths: Heritage Route about 80 minutes; Representative Route about 95 minutes; Representative Halls 50 minutes (always with a guide); Gardistka about 45 minutes and Tower and Treasury about 30 minutes (both without a guide); Sala Terrena 45 minutes; guided garden tour 60 minutes. Groups book via rezervace.azzk@ado.cz. |
