Kratochvíle
Státní zámek Kratochvíle, 384 11 Netolice
Tel. +420 388 324 380



   The Kratochvíle summerhouse near Netolice makes it obvious why Vilém of Rožmberk is rightly called a prince of the Czech Renaissance. This one-storey villa was built by Baldassare Maggi of Arogno between 1583 and 1589. A large entrance hall occupies the middle of the ground floor, its barrel vaulting decorated with hunting scenes and its lunettes with animal figures. The work was modelled on the "Jagdbuch" (hunting book) by the German artist Jost Amman and was carried out by the Rožmberk painter, George Widmann.
   On the first floor, there is a large hall with a net vault in stucco, leading into the Large Golden Hall painted by Antonio Melani with themes from Roman history and mythology. At present it houses a permanent exhibition of puppet and cartoon films.