Troja Chateau

Background

In 1679, Count Václav Vojtech of Šternberk commissioned a grand, rural mansion that now rests on the outskirts of Prague. The Troja Château was designed by painter-turned-architect Jean-Baptiste Mathey, who was strongly influenced by the Baroque. The house connects to its landscaped gardens by way of a two-winged, monumental staircase that is the focus of the façade. Since there was no sculptor in Prague trained in classical styles at the time, Georg Heermann was brought over from Dresden to carve the figures for the staircase. Count Šternberk had a penchant for mythology, so he asked Heermann to recreate a famous scene from Greek and Roman lore: the epic battle between the Olympian gods and their Titan relations. Heermann transformed the space between the wings of the staircase into the gloomy pit of Tartarus, where the defeated Titans were cast. Jupiter and Minerva observe their fallen foes from the landing above while other Olympians line the balustrades. This elaborate staircase and the rest of the property were given to the Czech state in 1922 by the last private owner, Alois Svoboda.

How We Helped

Although extensive restoration work was done on Troja Chateau in the 20th century, the exterior staircase was still plagued by moss, lichens, and algae. The biological growth was caused by high humidity and poor ventilation of the sandstone structure. In 2002, WMF helped the Prague City Gallery develop a preservation and maintenance plan for the staircase and its mythological decoration. A team was organized to assess the biological damage, document the site with photographs, and analyze stone samples to prepare for the restoration project. WMF involvement catalyzed the conservation effort, which was continued by the Prague City Gallery and local specialists.

Why It Matters

The Troja Chateau, with its Roman-inspired architecture and historical legacy, is unique in the Czech Republic. The palatial complex conceived by Count Ternbeck and designed by Jean-Baptiste Mathey is an impressive part of Prague’s suburban landscape, and now functions as a museum with a permanent exhibit of 19th-century Czech art. In the warm seasons, its terraced gardens are open to the public and the two-winged staircase continues to dominate its façade.