Jind�ich�v Hradec
Jind�ich�v Hradec, a town with a population of 20,000, is situated exactly on the fifteenth meridian, 54 km east of �esk� Bud�jovice. It was founded in the 13th century; it is located in lovely surroundings above the Ne��rka River and the Vaygar Pond. Its chief boast and attraction is the castle built on the site of an original stone building constructed before 1220 by Jind�ich of the V�tkovci family. Other important historical monuments include the 16th century Church of the Holy Trinity, the Church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary, the former minorite monastery with the Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist, the former Jesuit college built in 1595 - 1628, the Franciscan monastery with the Church of St. Catherine.
Jind�ich�v Hradec was built on a historical borderline between Bohemia, Moravia and Austria. The most important monument of the town is the third largest chateau complex in the Czech Republic - a unique Renaissance chateau, including a Gothic palace with valuable Gothic paintings and an architecturally imposing roundel, which has been the venue of numerous concerts due to its excellent acoustic. Night seeing tours with the White Lady: 2nd and 3rd chateau courtyard at 9 PM, 10 PM and 11.30 PM.
The night seeing tours acquaint the visitors with the historical events that really took place within the castle and chateau premises. During the tour, the visitors meet armour-bearers, grooms, cooks and finally the White Lady. The Renaissance fountain in the 3rd chateau courtyard is lit with colour lights and resounds with narration. The night seeing tour is a combination of live speech, recorded text, original music and other sound and especially light effects. It takes about one hour.
12. 12. - 14. 12. 2004
Advent days at the castle and chateau - third chateau courtyard. In the pre-Christmas period, Advent Days are organized by the Jind�ich�v Hradec Castle and Chateau Administration organizes for the visitors.
The festive atmosphere is intensified by Christmas decoration of the Courtyard and the opened interiors. During this time of the year, the five centuries old open-hearth kitchen is put into operation again and traditional dishes are prepared there for visitors. The third courtyard turns into a living Bethlehem and the so far preserved handicrafts remind of the secrets of the past.