A single family spent centuries crafting this massive, 283-square-kilometre garden masterpiece

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning over 280 square kilometres, the Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape is a testament to the vision of the House of Liechtenstein. Over several centuries, they transformed two castles and the surrounding countryside into a unified, designed parkland that now stands as a unique UNESCO World Heritage site in the Czech Republic.

The House of Liechtenstein began their long tenure in the region in 1249 when they acquired Valtice Castle. Over the next 700 years, they systematically reshaped the landscape, eventually connecting their two primary residences, Lednice and Valtice, with a seven-kilometre avenue in 1715. This vast area evolved into an intentional blend of Baroque, Neoclassical, and neo-Gothic architecture, punctuated by hunting lodges, summer pavilions, and follies like a 62-metre-high Moorish-style minaret.

The transformation of the grounds into a traditional English-style landscape park occurred primarily between the 17th and 20th centuries. The site is notable for its historical complexity; for much of this period, the border between Austria and the Kingdom of Bohemia ran directly through the park. This geopolitical divide vanished in 1919 following the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which placed the previously German-speaking town of Valtice within the borders of the newly formed Czechoslovakia.

The 20th century brought significant upheaval for the Liechtenstein family. After opposing the Nazi annexation of Czech territory, their properties were seized by the German state. Following the end of World War II, the Czechoslovak government enacted the Beneš decrees, which resulted in the permanent confiscation of the family's holdings. Despite multiple legal challenges following the 1989 Velvet Revolution, the Czech state remains the owner of the complex today. The site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, and it remains one of the most visited locations in the country.

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