CHATEAU LEŠNÁ
A stately wonder of Moravia
TOUR GUIDE
Welcome to Chateau Lešná!
Welcome to the chateau, one of the finest examples of historicist architecture in the Czech Republic. Built between 1887 and 1893 as the family residence of the noble Seilern family, the chateau combines Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles with the latest technological innovations of its time.
As you explore its beautifully preserved interiors, you will discover not only elegant period furnishings and remarkable works of art, but also fascinating stories about the people who called Lešná their home. From luxurious family apartments and richly decorated representative halls to unique collections gathered during expeditions around the world, every room offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the aristocracy at the turn of the 20th century.
This guide follows the route of the castle tour and provides additional historical facts and interesting details about each room. We hope it enriches your visit and helps you experience the unique atmosphere of Lešná Chateau.
Enjoy your tour!
ENTRANCE HALL
Lešná Chateau was built on the very location of the former manor house, a summer residence of the noble family of Seilern. By the end of the 19th century, the family attempted its renovation. However, the old building cracked, resulting in being torn down. Soon, in 1887, the construction work on the new house begun. In 1893, it was ready to welcome the family with it’s exquisite carved panels and the most modern amenities the then age offered – a central heating system, electricity, pipings for both hot and cold water, dumbwaiters, Gower-Bell telephones and spacious bathrooms furnished with hot tubs and flushing toilets. Interiors were truly extravagant, complemented by expensive French fabric wallpapers. The overall cost of the new residence was approximately €48,000,000.
Former manor house
In this entrance hall, you can admire two brass chandeliers imported from the Netherlands and some intricate wood carving work – a relief depicting Hubert of Liège, a Christian saint, among with the carved depiction of the castle in Litschau, an estate in the possession of Seilerns in the lower Austria. Just under the relief, on the ground, there is a family dog surrounded by puppies, a statue masterfully carved out of a single log of pear wood.
Franz Joseph Seilern und Aspang, founder of the Chateau, with his first wife, Ilona
CHAPEL
The architects, Johann Mick and Viktor Siedek, intertwined plethora of architectural styles in the current chateau, including Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque and Neo-Gothic. The Neo-Gothic style itself was a great option for the style of the chapel, the high ceilings ensuring a great resonance to the preacher’s words. This private balcony was a place where the family gathered to attend the mass held every morning at 6 A.M. The lower part of the chapel was attended by the staff. By now, you may have noticed the stained glass windows, created by assembling tiny pieces of painted glass into the lead frames. In the right window, you can see John of Nepomuk, a patron saint of the family.
John of Nepomuk is recognized by a crucifix and palm branch held close to his chest
DINING ROOM
The displayed dining table could be in the times of need unfolded into a much larger one, providing 32 seats overall. The large centerpiece was crafted out of 23 kilograms (approx. 51 lbs) of silver, having a vase displayed on the top – the countess was expected to place the bouquet delivered by the most important guest inside.
Two Russian samovars used for brewing tea are another quite interesting items to be found in the dining room. Also, you can find a tableware collection in the dining room, mostly originating in Japan and China. The most spectacular is Dutch delftware, coming from 17th century Holland, lavishly adorned by Asian-like figurative and ornamental painting.
In the small, four-legged display case you can find twenty nine pieces of cutlery - a dinnerware set for a single person, including specialized spoons for serving and eating eggs and ice serving tongs.
HALL OF THE ANCESTORS
This room was a representative gallery of the Seilerns and their ancestors. In the largest painting you can find Christian August von Seilern und Aspang, an imperial stateman of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, a diplomat to the United Kingdom, a lawyer and the richest member of the family. Despite living abroad, he connected to the Lešná demesne an area of 16 acres in total – forests, estates, and 20 villages. Other paintings are depicting family members and friends; another important person, the very first count Seilern, is located on the right side to the fireplace – Johann Friedrich von Seilern und Aspang, a former scribe nobiled for the creation of the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713.
Johann Friedrich Seilern und Aspang
Because of its beauty, the room is being used up to this day for hosting wedding ceremonies. Here, you can find incredibly ornate ceilings, as well as a large, hand carved statuary fireplace with a personalized overmantel where you can find the Seilern family crest proudly displayed.
BILLIARD ROOM
The prominent feature of this room is the Neo-Baroque, two-sided pool table for both carom and pocket billiards. The chandelier above the pool was originally an oil lamp. However, the Seilerns had their own small power station in the grounds, granting the family the comfort the electricity provided, thus they altered the former stunning oil lamp chandeliers into the electric ones. Shall you look above the door we came through, you will encounter the gaze of Franz Joseph again, portrayed as a young boy this time. The color of his clothing indicates he orphaned at a very young age. His paternal uncle, Karl Maxmilian von Seilern und Aspang, became his guardian. Upon reaching adulthood, Franz Joseph married his cousin, Ilona, who succumbed sadly to a heart disease, soon after giving birth to the Seilern heir, Joseph Karl von Seilern und Aspang. Franz Joseph married another intricate beauty – the one in the largest painting in the room. It was Sarolta von Wenckheim, a twin sister of his late wife. The new countess was recognized far and wide for her charity work, her heart of gold and the incredible language skills – she spoke fluently nine languages.
You will proceed to another room next, passing through a short corridor leading to the lounge at the countess disposal. In the corridor, observe the floor – in 1890s, the Seilerns already took advantage of underfloor heating.
The Seilern power plant and its engine room
COUNTESS‘ LOUNGE
This chateau section has an ability to send shivers down the spines of many – no need to be afraid, tho. In this residence, there are no ghosts. The truth is, the lack of the oak panelling and coffered ceilings in wood you have noticed in the previous rooms makes the temperature drop a few degrees.
Perhaps you have noticed some pieces of the furniture are lower than the rest – they were crafted to suit the needs of Sarolta, known for her short stature. On the opposing wall, right next to the hidden door leading to the bedchambers in the upper floor, you can examine the remnants of a Gower-Bell telephone. Nearby to the hidden staircase, there is also an indoor borrowed light window. On its sides there are two paintings – Franz Joseph along with his first, late wife. Under the window, there is a childhood portrait of their son – Joseph Karl.
COUNT’S BEDROOM
Coming to slumber, history has written it’s own chapters. In the Middle Ages, people used to sleep upright for many beliefs, f.e. the person sleeping in a completely flat position would die. The count’s canopy bed in this room, despite its short appearance, is 197 centimetres in length (77.5 inches). The bed is narrow because it was meant to secure sleep for one single sleeper – in noble families, it was common that husband and wife slept separately in their private bedchambers. The most significant painting is on the opposite side of bed – it is Joseph Karl von Seilern und Aspang, the first born son of Franz Joseph. From his early age, the young count Joseph was fascinated by nature, being amazed by birds. He made several scientific journeys, exploring Svalbard and Far East. In 1928, he made a journey around the world. From these travels, he brought many etnographic objects, minerals, insects, corals, 10,000 taxidermied hummingbirds and 42,000 bird eggs.
BATHROOM
Despite the fact there were 6 similar bathrooms in the house, most of the personal hygiene routine took place in bedrooms still, with the use of portable basins you can see behind the toiletry table. The family often boasted about having partially sunken hot tubs, just like the one you can see in the corner. It used to be filled from the hole found on the left side at the bottom. Next to the tub, you can see another bathroom amenity – a flushing toilet.
TEA LOUNGE
The tea lounge used to be a favorite room to bring company in. The pleasant atmosphere in this room is enhanced not only by the paintings of the romantic landscapes of the Tyrolean Alps, but also by the baroque settees crafted in the 19th century. The smaller settee set belonged to children – the etiquette used to be very strict, allowing children to join the adults and their company only after mastering necessary social skills. However, the smallest armchair in this room did not belong to a child – it used to be a special sofa crafted for a family pet.
LIBRARY
Despite the fact this library used to hold a figure of 10,000 books, it was never open to the public. After the World War II, almost every book was transferred to the museum in the city of Zlín. Only one book remained – the History of the House of Habsburg, written in Schwabacher. Found on the table in the center, it can be called a heavy literature indeed – written on parchment it weights astounding 28 kilograms (61,7 pounds). Nowadays, the library is connected to Joseph Karl, to the boy in the nautical clothing you have seen in the bedroom. Being well aware of the benefits his noble title provided, he wanted to share the knowledge he gained during his travels. At first, all of these objects were displayed in the chateau’s museum, a special building by the seasonal entrance. The objects he brought from his travels were unseen by the common folk back then, and dare we say, some even in the modern age – you can have a look at a devil’s work ball, a chinese puzzle ball carved from one single piece of ivory; in the left upper corner of the room you can find a sea turtle shell, used as a shield by rich Somali warriors; on the opposing column, there is a weird „scarecrow“ - in fact, it was a piece of clothing used by „coolies“ – the low-wage Asian laborers.
You can find there also an intricate sandalwood chest in one of the corners – feel free to ask the guide to open it for you, it smells wonders. Up to this day, it keeps its natural scent, after all those years. In fact, sandalwood powder used to be just another sort of spice – chefs used it to season poultry and to add it into gingerbread spice blends.
Onto the creepy artifacts! In the library, you can examine a mummified baby crocodile, a taxidermy elephant’s foot umbrella stand, and, shall you look up to the ceiling, you will see an entire school of porcupinefish! In some Asian countries, these fish are considered a delicacy. However, only the bravest ones dare eating them – the meat can cause lethal tetrodotoxin poisoning. The Seilerns were unwilling to risk losing their lives to such meal tho – they have decided to turn the fish into hanging garden lanterns instead.
In 1929, Joseph Karl von Seilern und Aspang brought the very first exotic animals to the zoo, situating them nearby the museum. In 1948, the City of Zlín formally established the current zoological garden by expanding the former Seilern zoological collection.
Sadly, it’s time to part, so you can move to the next best things we have in zoo! Thank you so much for visiting the chateau! It was a pleasure to have you as our guest.
