Waltsch: Castle, Park and Baroque Art

Waltsch (Valeč) has a clear focus on Baroque architecture, sculpture and religious architectural history. The castle and park stand alongside several churches and a restored Stations of the Cross; together, these places offer different insights into the history and design of the town. When planning your visit, it is worth paying attention to the buildings and art forms as well as to visitor programmes, which vary by season.

Castle, Park and Water System

Valeč Castle was remodelled in the Baroque style by F. Barelli and G. A. Biana Rossa. A self-guided visit takes you through centuries of splendour, destruction and reconstruction, while also presenting the Baroque sculptures in a new light. Details of the official visitor programme may change seasonally.

The castle park is freely accessible year-round from sunrise to sunset. It is adorned with sculptures from the workshop of Matyáš Bernard Braun: they depict allegories of qualities and figures from Greek mythology. The Baroque garden also includes a water system with cascades, fountains, ponds and irrigation installations. A water pipeline almost three kilometres long is part of this historic complex.

The theatron is also part of the park ensemble. It was intended for open-air theatre and musical performances. This former function adds a cultural dimension to the complex, without implying that performances are currently scheduled.

Sculptures in the Lapidarium

The lapidarium displays 28 original Baroque sculptures and sculptural groups. They once adorned the castle terraces and gardens. An elaborate lighting and sound presentation shows the figures in different atmospheres. This makes the lapidarium's presentation distinct from the sculptures in the park: here, the staging shapes how the works are seen. Opening arrangements may vary; check the latest information before your visit.

Churches and Architectural History

The Holy Trinity Column in Waltsch was designed by František Maxmilián Kaňka and made in the workshop of the sculptor Matyáš Bernard Braun. The Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist dates back to a foundation in the mid-13th century. The Cemetery Church of Our Lady of Sorrows adds a later feature: it was built in 1751 in the Late Baroque style. The three buildings represent different aspects of local church and art history.

A visit to the interior of the Holy Trinity Church includes information about the burial traditions of the lords of Valeč. Details of this visitor programme may change seasonally. Parking is available at the Castle Church of the Holy Trinity.

Stations of the Cross and Landscape

The restored Stations of the Cross begins just beyond Waltsch, at a bend in the road from the Castle Church of the Holy Trinity towards Vrbice. It follows the road past most of the chapels; the sequence then continues to the left across a meadow above the overgrown slope. A Calvary group stands beyond the fourteenth station. From there, you can enjoy an expansive view of all Waltsch.

The wider area includes Valečsko, a protected cultural landscape around the Baroque town of Waltsch. The castle and two churches shape this landscape. This makes it possible to consider the local focus on architecture and religious art in a broader context, without equating the landscape with the individual castle park.

Plan Your Visit

When planning your schedule, it is helpful to distinguish between the park and indoor visits: the park is stated to be freely accessible year-round from sunrise to sunset; details of the castle programme and interior visits may change seasonally, while the lapidarium's opening arrangements may vary. Before travelling, check the latest visitor information, including details about access to the park and parking at the Castle Church.

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