Gothic whispers linger here at Zámek Škvorec. It is a chateau that began as a minor castle. We are about 23 kilometers east of Prague. The chateau is also known locally as the Starý zámek. That means Old Chateau.
Zámek Škvorec was first indirectly mentioned in 1279. It was fully documented in 1404. Domaslav likely founded it around 1279. He was a courtier and official. He served as butler to Queen Kunigunda of Slavonia in 1262. He was also her food taster. Later, he became Lord High Treasurer.
Originally a Gothic castle, it was rebuilt as a Renaissance palace in the 1520s. The devastating Thirty Years’ War took its toll. In 1639, Zámek Škvorec was looted and burned. It lay in ruins until 1710.
Then, it was restored in the Baroque style. Most of the compound was demolished between 1860 and 1884. Only the southeastern buildings remained.
Let’s talk about some key figures tied to Zámek Škvorec. The Olbramovicové family, a rich merchant clan from Prague, owned the castle in the 14th century. Olbram, son of Menhart, installed the priest in Horky church. The church already belonged to Škvorec by 1354.
Later, Čeněk of Klinštejn, Crown Prosecutor, bought it in 1462. He modernized the castle into a Renaissance residence around 1545. He added the western range with arcades and the eastern building.
In 1621, Albrecht von Wallenstein gained Zámek Škvorec. But he quickly sold it to Prince Karl I of Liechtenstein in 1622.
Records show that the Swedes plundered Zámek Škvorec. They set it on fire on November 27, 1639. Ceilings collapsed during the fire. Repairs were minimal. The castle remained a ruin for the rest of the 17th century.
Italian builder Kristian Minedi repaired part of the castle in 1710. Major repairs followed in 1727. Princess Maria Theresa of Soissons lived here from 1729. She gave the chateau its final appearance. Locals nicknamed her Cafojka. She was known for her kindness.
By 1794, Zámek Škvorec was still habitable. But it decayed rapidly afterward. Most buildings were dismantled between 1860 and 1884. The local school was built in 1890 on the site of the old palace.
In 1924, the Czechoslovak state expropriated Zámek Škvorec. It transferred ownership to the municipality. In 1958, the remnants became a cultural monument.
In 2008, a Russian-Italian family bought the almost ruined remnants. They gradually restored it. They promoted a new name: Savoia Castle. Since May 2016, the chateau has been partially open to the public.
Archaeological research revealed a massive circular bergfried. It had a diameter of 12 meters. Its walls were 4 meters thick.
The preserved part of Zámek Škvorec has a U-shaped ground plan. The longest wing forms the southern side. All wings are two-storied. A small turret towers above the gate. A stone bridge leads to the gate over the former moat.
Today, Zámek Škvorec stands as a testament to its layered past. It blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. It is a symbol of resilience. The once ruined remnants have been reborn.