BECOV NAD TEPLOU

In the 13th century the Lords of Osek founded the castle Beèov nad Teplou on acliff over a provincial route for its protection and collecting duties. The castle reached its peak in the late 15th century, when it belonged to the Pluh family of Rabštejn, who were engaged in gold, silver and tin mining.

The Pluh family connected two older parts of the castle and later built a new residential palace in the Renaissance style there. In 1547, Kaspar Pluh headed the uprising of the Estates against Ferdinand I, which failed and he was sentenced to death. The Beèov dominion continued to serve as a pledge for the debts of the Emperor Chamber.

The Thirty Years' War broghts an end to tin prosperity and in 1648, the Swedish army damaged the castle and occupied it. The most valuable preserved part of the castle is the Chapel of the Visitation of Our Lady from the year 1400 with original frescoes depicting 17 Biblical motives.

In the 18th century, on the site of the former fortifications above the castle moat a Baroque chateau with an octagonal tower was built. The tower housed state rooms, a library and fountains. In the 19th century the castle was connected with the chateau into one complex. The interiors were renovated in the Romantic style by architect Josef Zítek. There are valuable collections of paintings and tapestries from the property of Belgian Beaufort-Spontin family, who bought Beèov in 1813.

The Reliquary of St. Moor

Alfred de Beaufort bought a rare 12th century reliquary of St. Moor for 2,500 francs, had it restored and brought it to Beèov. At the end of World War II the Beauforts, active collaborators with the Nazi regime, left the chateau in a hurry. The reliquary was hidden under the floor of the castle chapel for 40 years. In the 1980s, the police got a tip that one foreign businessman was offering mediating services in the export of the forgotten reliquary. After a long investigations in the archives and interrogations of witnesses a short list was made of possible sites where the reliquary could be hidden. On November 5, 1985, the reliquary was discovered, surrounded by bottles of wine and cognac. Sixty Czech and international specialists participated in its restoration. Since May 2002, the reliquary has been exposed in a special safe deposit room in the chateau Beèov.

Recently, the castle was completely renovated. The exhibition “The History and Meaning of Reliquaries” was opened to the public. Beèov offers unique night sightseeing tours and viewing of the reliquary of St. Moor

The castle gallery houses a major collection of European art, featuring an especially stirring oil painting by Titian, "Apollo's Slaying of Marsyas".

The chateau itself, its Flower Garden and the Garden Below the Chateau were entered in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites. Kromìøíž is located some 50 km from Brno, near the Brno – Olomouc highway, and is also well-connected through the regional rail network.