Visitor Information
- Location: Lednice, South Moravian Region, 55 km south of Brno
- Getting there: Car recommended; local bus from Brno or Mikulov
- Opening hours: Tue–Sun; closed Mondays and November–March
- Entry: Guided tours for interiors; park and grounds free
- Best time to visit: May–June for gardens; September for wine harvest season
- Official site: zamek-lednice.com
The Liechtenstein Vision
The Liechtenstein family owned the Lednice-Valtice estate for nearly 600 years, from the 14th century until the end of World War II. During that time, they transformed a modest medieval castle into one of the most ambitious landscape projects in Central Europe. The current chateau was rebuilt between 1846 and 1858 by the architect Georg Wingelmüller in the English Neo-Gothic style, replacing an earlier Baroque structure.
The choice of Neo-Gothic was deliberate and fashionable. By the mid-19th century, Gothic Revival architecture had become the preferred style for aristocratic building projects across Europe, associated with medieval chivalry, national identity, and romantic sensibility. The Liechtensteins were not simply building a house; they were constructing an image of themselves as heirs to a noble tradition.
The result is a building of considerable theatrical quality. The asymmetrical towers, pointed arches, and intricate stonework create a silhouette that changes dramatically depending on where you stand. The architects clearly thought about how the building would appear from the surrounding park, and the park was designed to provide the best possible views of the chateau.
The Landscape Park
The Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape covers approximately 283 square kilometres and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is one of the largest designed landscapes in Europe, encompassing the two main chateaux at Lednice and Valtice, connected by a network of avenues, canals, and paths, and punctuated by a series of follies and architectural features scattered across the countryside.
The follies are worth seeking out. The minaret — a 60-metre Islamic tower built in 1804 as a romantic garden feature — is the most unusual. It stands in the park near the chateau and can be climbed for views across the flat Moravian landscape toward Austria. The artificial ruin of Janův Hrad (John's Castle) is another highlight, a Gothic ruin constructed in the 1810s to look as if it had been abandoned for centuries.
The park itself is free to enter and open throughout the year. Cycling is an excellent way to explore the wider landscape, and bicycle rental is available in Lednice village. The flat terrain makes it accessible for most fitness levels, and the network of paths connects the main sites without requiring a car.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Pudelek / CC BY-SA 3.0
The Chateau Interior
The interior tours cover the state rooms of the chateau, which were furnished and decorated in the mid-19th century and have been preserved largely intact. The quality of the craftsmanship is high — carved wooden ceilings, painted walls, period furniture — and the rooms give a clear picture of how wealthy Moravian aristocracy lived in the Victorian era.
The most impressive space is the winter garden, a large glass-and-iron conservatory attached to the main building. Built in the 1840s, it was one of the first structures of its kind in the region and demonstrates the Liechtenstein family's interest in botanical collection and horticultural innovation. The space is now used for temporary exhibitions.
Tours run in Czech and German as standard; English tours are available but should be booked in advance. The tour takes approximately 50 minutes and covers the main state rooms. Photography is restricted in some areas.
The Surrounding Wine Region
Lednice sits in the heart of the Moravian wine country, and visiting in September or October coincides with the harvest season. The vineyards around Mikulov, Valtice, and Znojmo produce wines that are increasingly recognised internationally, particularly the white varieties — Welschriesling, Müller-Thurgau, and Grüner Veltliner.
The town of Valtice, 12 kilometres from Lednice, hosts the National Wine Salon of the Czech Republic in the cellars of Valtice Chateau — a permanent exhibition of the country's best wines, open to visitors for tasting. Combining a visit to Lednice with an afternoon in Valtice makes for a full and varied day in South Moravia.
For information on the wider UNESCO landscape and cycling routes, the Czech Tourism Authority maintains detailed maps and itineraries for the Lednice-Valtice area.
