Kralice na Hané chateau

Kralice na Hané chateau is a late Baroque-Classicist residence standing in the centre of the village of Kraličky, in the Prostějov region of the Haná lowlands in Moravia. Built on an H-shaped floor plan on the site of an earlier Renaissance stronghold, the reconstructed building today houses a Sokol gymnastics hall, flats, and a restaurant.

How old is the village, and where does its name come from?

The first written mention of Kralice na Hané dates back to 1225, when Margrave Vladislav II issued a charter while staying in Kralice, granting the nuns of the St Peter and Paul convent in Olomouc the same privileges enjoyed by villages belonging to the Olomouc bishopric. In 1304, John of Luxembourg raised Kralice to town status, granting it market rights, brewing rights, and mile rights (protection from competing craftsmen within a one-mile radius).

When was the first fortified seat built here?

The original Renaissance stronghold was built at the beginning of the 17th century by the Haugvic of Biskupice family; some sources attribute the construction specifically to Jáchym Haugvic, dating it to 1637. The fortress served as the fortified administrative seat of the owners of the Kralice estate.

How did the estate change hands over the centuries?

Ownership of the Kralice estate passed through the hands of several Moravian noble families over the following centuries. Recorded owners include, in succession, the Cimburk family, the Pernštejn family, the Haugvic of Biskupice family, the Rottal family, and finally the Seilern family — the family responsible for giving the chateau much of the shape it retains today.

What did the fire of 1719 destroy?

In 1719 a major fire broke out in Kralice, consuming a large part of the settlement — the Olomouc street burned down, along with the original stronghold, the manor farmyard, and the church. The damaged building stood in this half-ruined state for several years before passing to new owners.

Who built today's chateau, and when?

In 1725 the fire-damaged estate was acquired by the Seilern family. Towards the end of the 18th century, Kristián August Seilern had the surviving walls of the old stronghold rebuilt into a late Baroque-Classicist chateau on an H-shaped floor plan, laying out an extensive French-style park around it. Until the close of the 19th century, the chateau served the Seilerns as their summer residence.

What happened to the chateau in the 20th century?

In 1921 the estate passed into the ownership of the Czechoslovak state. Four years later, in 1925, the building was adapted for new uses — a Sokol gymnastics hall, offices, a shop, and flats were installed inside. This mix of functions has largely persisted to the present day.

What is the chateau used for today, and can it be visited?

The chateau is now owned by the municipality of Kralice na Hané. The restored building serves practical purposes: alongside the Sokol hall and flats, it also houses a restaurant. It is not open to the public as a guided sightseeing route — the interior serves residents and local institutions rather than museum visitors. From the outside, however, visitors can still admire the building's form and the remains of its park layout.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Kralice na Hané chateau located? In the centre of the village of Kraličky, in the Prostějov region of the Haná lowlands in Moravia.

Is today's chateau the original building? No — it stands on the site of a Renaissance stronghold from the early 17th century, which was destroyed in a fire in 1719 and later rebuilt into a chateau by the Seilern family at the end of the 18th century.

Which family owned the estate the longest? Recorded owners include the Cimburk, Pernštejn, Haugvic of Biskupice, Rottal, and Seilern families — the Seilerns gave the chateau its present form and held it until the end of the 19th century.

Can the chateau be visited today? It is not open as a guided sightseeing route — today it houses a Sokol hall, flats, and a restaurant, and is owned by the municipality of Kralice na Hané.

What else is notable about the village's history? The first mention of Kralice dates to 1225, and in 1304 John of Luxembourg granted the settlement town status along with market and brewing privileges.