Stock Photo - The chateau was founded in the 15th century by the Lords of Vrbno and at the beginning of the 17th century it was rebuilt into a magnificent Renaissance chateau with an unusual circular layout. After the defeat of White Mountain, Bruntal Castle was confiscated by the Order of German Knights. The castle was severely damaged during the Thirty Years' War and the restoration work was not completed until 1670. The chateau acquired its present appearance with a late Baroque reconstruction between 1766 and 1769. During the reconstruction, the Renaissance arcades in the courtyard and the clock tower were preserved as well as many other structural elements of the original chateau, thus creating a unique and remarkable combination of Renaissance and Baroque styles in one building. (CTK Photo/Jan Rychetsky)