Chodský hrad

About the museum

The castle in Domažlice was founded in the 1260s, at a time when King Přemysl Otakar II supported the founding of the town. From the beginning, royal burgraves were seated here to administer the Chods, free peasants who guarded the land’s border. The castle often provided accommodation for monarchs travelling abroad, among them John of Luxembourg at the beginning of the 1330s. It performed its administrative function until the early 16th century; after a fire and the great town fire of 1592 it became a ruin.

The castle remained the property of the town, and after the Thirty Years’ War it was the subject of disputes between the town and the lord of the manor. In 1726 to 1728, on the site of the remains, a Baroque salt storehouse with a tower was built to a design by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. Later the building housed the town office, a school and the town library.

The Muzeum Chodska (Chod Museum), founded on the initiative of the town council in 1883, moved into the castle in the early 1930s and gradually took over the whole building. A general reconstruction began in 1992; on the night of 21 April 1995, shortly before its completion, a fire broke out that damaged around 130 collection items. The restoration was completed in 1998, and the present exhibition opened in May 1999. The visit includes the castle tower, the walkway and a lapidarium in the cellar.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history and folk culture of Chodsko
• Exhibition on the Chod wedding and folk customs
• Funeral carriage from Mutěnín, the only one of its kind in the Plzeň Region
• Archaeology of prehistory and the Middle Ages
• Climb up the castle tower with a view of the roofs of Domažlice
• Lapidarium in the castle cellar

Permanent exhibitions

• Stálá expozice Chodského hradu – The exhibition presents the history of Chodsko, the archaeology of prehistory and the Middle Ages, folk culture including the Chod wedding, and the funeral carriage from Mutěnín.
• Hradní věž, ochoz a lapidárium – Visitors can climb the castle tower and walkway and view the stone elements in the lapidarium in the castle cellar.

Founded

1883

Operated by

Muzeum Chodska v Domažlicích, příspěvková organizace

Director

Mgr. Josef Nejdl

Admission & discounts

The museum’s website does not state to whom the reduced and family admission applies.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition is on the upper floor and the tower is reached by a spiral staircase. The museum’s website gives no information on step-free access; questions can be answered by phone.

Kids & families

A family ticket of CZK 200 is available. The museum has educational programmes for schools.

Getting there & parking

The castle is in the historic centre of Domažlice on Chodské náměstí.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available

There is no café in the castle; refreshments are available around the square.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit