Zámek Troja

Troja Palace is a Baroque palace located in Troja, Prague's north-west borough (Czech Republic). It was built for the Counts of Sternberg from 1679 to 1691. The palace is owned by the city of Prague and hosts the 19th century Czech art collections of the City Gallery.

Construction

The palace's design has been influenced by French and Italian architecture and is mostly the work of French architect Jean Baptiste Mathey. The latter also built thepalais Buquoyin Prague, currently the French embassy. Prior to Mathey,Domenico Orsiworked on the castle.Silvestro Carlonewas the Master Builder.

Gardens

The stairs between the palace and the gardens are the work of two sculptors from Dresden:Johann GeorgandPaul Heermann. They sculpted statues representing the fight of gods and giants. The terrace is decorated with a rare collection of vases made by Bombelli. The central axis of the garden projects towards the spires of the St. Vitus Cathedral in the Prague Castle.

Decoration

The palace's main rooms is decorated with a magnificent baroque Habsburg's apotheosis. Many mythological elements are presented in this trompe-l'œil decoration. It was realised by the brothers Abraham and Isaac Godyn, painters from Anvers who arrived at the castle in 1690. Francesco Marchetti and his son Giovanni realised most of the other paintings in the castle.