The lovely late Baroque Troja Chateau (Trojský Zámek) was designed by Italian architect Jean Baptiste Mathey for Count Václav Vojtěch Šternberk and was completed in 1689; it was used by the count as his summer residence. The striking russet-red and white palace is entered via a spectacular flight of steps flanked by figures taken from Greek mythology and has an impressively elaborate interior swathed in frescoes; the best are found in the ornate Grand Emperor’s Hall — named for Emperor Leopold I, who came visiting in 1702 — and are by the Dutch artists Abraham and Isaac Godyn; the project took five years to complete. The opulent rooms are filled with sculptures and artwork and the chateau forms part of Prague City Gallery.
Troja is surrounded by formal gardens divided into terraces and parterres and decorated with fountains, statuary and ornamental trees. An imposing stable block stands in the courtyard, with vaulted ceilings decorated by Abraham Godyn with more scenes from Greek mythology.
Northwest of the city center near Prague Zoo and the botanical gardens, the chateau can be reached along the new bike path following the banks of the River Vltava. It is a popular venue for public functions and is only open to the public at weekends, although the grounds are open daily.
