Lány Castle

In this article we will address the topic of Lány Castle, which has been the subject of interest and debate in various areas. Lány Castle has captured the attention of experts and the general public due to its relevance and impact in today's society. Throughout history, Lány Castle has played a fundamental role in different aspects, whether in the social, cultural, technological, political, economic, among others. In this article, we will explore the various dimensions and perspectives related to Lány Castle, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and enriching vision on this topic.

Lány Castle
Zámek Lány
Front view
Map
General information
Architectural styleEclectic
LocationLány, Czech Republic
Coordinates50°07′26″N 13°57′23″E / 50.12389°N 13.95639°E / 50.12389; 13.95639
Current tenantsPetr Pavel
(2023–present)

Lány Castle (Czech: zámek Lány) is a manor house in Lány in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. The current structure, built in the late 15th century, sits on the site of a medieval fortress. The originally Renaissance building was remodeled in the Baroque style in the 17th century before undergoing further architectural modifications in the early 20th century. It is the summer residence of the president of the Czech Republic.

Early history

In the Middle Ages, a wooden fortress existed on the site of the current Lány Castle.[1]

In the late 15th century, Rudolf II acquired the lands surrounding the historical fortress at Lány, constructing the present building for use as a hunting lodge on the site of the former structure.[1] At the beginning of the 17th century, Lány Castle was extensively renovated in the Baroque style.[1]

Lány Castle later passed to the ownership of the Waldstein family and, subsequently, to the Swabian princely House of Fürstenberg.[2] During the Fürstenberg ownership, a connected chapel – the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus – was constructed.[3]

20th century

Emil Hacha on the grounds of Lány Castle with August Adolf Popelka in 1944. During World War II, Lány Castle was seat of the State President of Bohemia and Moravia while Prague Castle served as the residence of the Protector.

Lány Castle was again renovated in 1902. In 1921, the newly independent Czechoslovakia purchased the estate from the Fürstenbergs for governmental use. Landscaping of the building's grounds was overseen by Jože Plečnik who designed the castle's fountain, which features five Doric columns embedded with lion heads representing Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Slovakia, and Carpathian Ruthenia.[1]

As President of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Masaryk used Lány Castle as his country retreat.[1] On 20 December 1935, a week after Masaryk's retirement, the National Assembly unanimously enacted legislation granting him use of the castle for life.[4] Following his 1937 death, it was redesignated as the summer residence of the President of Czechoslovakia, though used only sporadically for that purpose.[3][2]

During the period of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Lány Castle served as the seat of the presidency of the protectorate, while Prague Castle was used as the official residence of the Protector.[5] The 1st Battalion of the Government Army provided security and public duties at the estate.[6]

Later history

Concert saloon in the castle

Lány Castle is used as the summer residence of the President of the Czech Republic.[1][7] Notable visitors to Lány Castle since the 1993 creation of the Czech Republic include the 14th Dalai Lama,[8] President of Poland Lech Kaczyński,[9] President of Austria Heinz Fischer,[10] President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and others.[11] In 2019, it was the site of the summit of the Visegrád Group and, in 2021, Petr Fiala was officially installed as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic at Lány Castle where President Milos Zeman was at the time convalescing from illness.[12][11]

The state rooms of the building were opened for public visitation for the first time in 2023.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Zámek Lány". hrad.cz (in Czech). Government of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Zámek Lány a zámecký park". muzeumtgm.cz (in Czech). Muzeum T.G.M. Rakovník. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Zámek Lány". obec-lany.cz (in Czech). Obec Lány. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Masarsyk Bills Passed". New York Times. 21 December 1935. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  5. ^ The Vlasov Case: History of a Betrayal. Vol. 2. Russian State Archive for Social and Political History. p. 385.
  6. ^ "History". hrad.army.cz. Army of the Czech Republic. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Lány chateau opens to public on Friday". Radio Prague International. 9 December 2022. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  8. ^ "What Lies Beneath". Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  9. ^ "President of RP visits the Czech Republic". president.pl. Office of the President of Poland.
  10. ^ "Rakouský prezident se přijede rozloučit, přivítá ho Zeman v Lánech Zdroj". Globe24.cz. 3 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  11. ^ a b "The Summit of the Visegrad Group in Prague begins, Vucic participates". B92. 3 October 2019. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Czech Republic: new government officially appointed by the president". Agencia Nova. 17 December 2021. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  13. ^ Plavecký, Radek (15 February 2023). "Prezidentský zámek Lány bude mít poprvé v historii komentované prohlídky". Novinky.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
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