Still part of the Savoy Castle, the Savoia Residence hotel is housed in historic premises that have retained their old-world charm. The interiors have been carefully restored and impress with antique furnishings, parquet floors, warm colors, and brick vaulted ceilings. Italian delicacies can be enjoyed in the rustic Mediterranean-style Savoia Cafe, with a romantic terrace. In addition, Wi-Fi and parking are free.
Savoia Castle History
The castle is located east of Prague, in a town of less than 1,000 inhabitants called Skvorec. This town of a few hundred houses hides a centuries-old history.
Skvorec Castle first appears in the archives in 1279, when Domoslav (butler to Queen Kunegunda of Slovenia) began its construction. The only elements reminiscent of that period are the ancient well and the remains of a Gothic palace. Over time the castle changed many owners, during which time it was rebuilt into a Renaissance palace. Famous owners of the castle included the Olbramovits of Prague, the Klinstejns, the Smirickys, and Albrecht of Valdstein, who sold the castle to the Lichtensteins in 1623.
In November 1639, during the Swedish invasion, the castle was completely sacked and razed to the ground by the Swedish army.
Maria Theresa of Savoy (née Lichtenstein) restored the destroyed castle and lived here for more than half a century. She built hospitals, churches and significantly influenced the development of the local region. His death in 1772 returned the castle to a state of neglect that caused the destruction of the main palace.
Importantly, the castle played a significant role as a religious center for the local Jewish community. The castle housed a synagogue, a Jewish religious school and a wine cellar for 80 years until the beginning of World War II.
The modern history of the Savoy Castle is the work of the Eremeev-Salvatore family. Dmitry Eremeev comes from a Russian aristocratic family, and his wife Monica Eremeev (née Salvatore) was born and raised in a noble family in Campoli, near Florence. The family began reconstruction in 2008. Today the castle has been restored and is open for private tours, weddings, events, and local public events.