BELLARIA – FROM BAROQUE KITCHEN TO MAGICAL TABLE 2025 International Interdisciplinary Workshops Featuring Courses of Experimental Retro-Gastronomy
The "magic table" in the Rococo Bellarie Summer Palace, located in the Český Krumlov castle gardens, is a rare 18th-century mechanical food delivery system. Its key features include a fully functional service elevator that transports dishes from the underground Baroque kitchen, alongside a smaller lift designed to quietly deliver prepared meals directly to the dining room. In 2024, a meticulous restoration was completed, making this unique historical rarity fully operational once again.
Ivan Day, Independent Culinary Historian, United Kingdom:
“The 18th century Bellaria Summer Palace in the park of Český Krumlov Castle contains a rare and exciting feature - ‘une table volante’, - a flying, or magical table! This totally crazy mechanism allows a table laden with food to be winched up from a room next to the basement kitchen into the elegant rococo dining room above. This theatrical conjuring trick enabled the aristocratic diners to enjoy a good dinner without the presence of servants. The table (or parts of it) could be sent back below to be dressed with further courses and additional refreshments. The elites seated around the table could enjoy total privacy and confidentiality.
They could flirt, carouse, or even exchange state secrets, without being overheard or spied upon by their domestic staff. A magical table has no ears, so cannot disclose secrets."
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