Hrad Český Šternberk
Gothic castle above the River Sázava, founded around 1241 and still owned by the Sternberg family, with early Baroque interiors and a collection of copperplate engravings from the Thirty Years’ War.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Český Šternberk Castle above the River Sázava was founded around 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov, who named the new seat after the golden eight-pointed star in the family coat of arms and began to call himself “of Šternberk”. It is exceptional that the castle has remained for almost eight centuries in the hands of the founder’s descendants; it is now owned by the 20th generation of the family.
In 1467 the castle was conquered by the troops of King George of Poděbrady after a siege, in which effective artillery fire from the south was decisive. After repairs, the castle was rebuilt in the late Gothic style and fortified at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries; a massive round tower and a southern projecting bastion called the hladomorna (starvation tower) were built, which today serves as a viewpoint. In the second half of the 17th century an early Baroque rebuilding turned the defensive seat into a comfortable noble residence. At the beginning of the 20th century the castle was electrified and equipped with a water supply and central heating.
The tour takes you through fifteen rooms furnished with pieces from different periods, including the Rytířský sál (Knights’ Hall) with early Baroque stucco decoration, the library, the family gallery and the study of Jiří Sternberg. Part of the exhibition is a unique collection of 545 copperplate engravings from the Thirty Years’ War, one of the largest single-theme collections of graphic prints in Europe.
Highlights
- Fifteen furnished rooms, including the Knights’ Hall with early Baroque stucco decoration
- Collection of 545 copperplate engravings from the Thirty Years’ War
- Hladomorna – projecting bastion with a view of the castle and the Sázava valley
- Family gallery and study of Jiří Sternberg
- The castle still belongs to the descendants of the founder of the Sternberg family
Permanent exhibitions
- Hradní expozice – Tour of fifteen furnished rooms on the second floor, from the Knights’ Hall through the library and the family gallery to the study of Jiří Sternberg, with its collection of 545 copperplate engravings from the Thirty Years’ War.
- Hladomorna – Projecting bastion from the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, with a spiral staircase and loopholes; today a viewing tower.
- Operated by
- Hrad Český Šternberk s.r.o.
- Director
- Zuzana Míková
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 250 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 200 Kčseniors aged 65 and over, young people aged 16–24, and holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards over 18 (tour with Czech commentary). |
| Children & teens | 100 KčChildren aged 4–15 pay CZK 100; the website gives no price for children under 3. |
| Seniors | 200 KčSeniors aged 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 200 Kčcompanion free · Holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards over 18 pay CZK 200, those under 18 enter free of charge; the companion of a ZTP/P card holder enters free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | 200 KčYoung people aged 16–24. |
| Groups | –For schools: children aged 4–15: CZK 100; students aged 16–24: CZK 200; one teacher per 15 pupils enters free of charge. Individual discounts for social institutions and charitable organisations by arrangement. |
| Tour with foreign-language commentary (English, German, Russian, French) – adults | 300 KčSeniors and young people aged 16–24: CZK 250; children aged 4–15: CZK 200. |
| Guided walk around the castle surroundings – adults | 200 KčSeniors, young people and children CZK 170. |
| Special and Advent tours (Putování šternberskou historií, Hradozámecká noc) – adults | 300 KčSeniors and young people: CZK 250; children aged 4–15: CZK 150. |
| Night tour (by reservation only, at least 10 people) | 500 KčPrice per person. |
Prices apply to the tour with Czech commentary; for 2027 the castle publishes a separate price list. Tickets bought online cannot be refunded or exchanged. Payment is possible in cash or by card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- 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 second floor of the castle and is reached by 120 steps.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The family tour Poznej rodové sídlo Sternbergů! (Get to Know the Sternbergs’ Family Seat!) with a key is intended for families with children aged about 5–10 and usually takes place at 11:15 and 14:15. For schools there is a worksheet for CZK 15 and creative workshops. The exhibition is reached by 120 steps.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Český Šternberk can be reached by train, by bus or by boat along the Sázava; the castle does not give information on connections.
By car
Paid parking · 5-min walk · 250 m to the entrance
The castle car park is in the valley between the castle and the forest, on the left side of the road when arriving from Prague; an asphalt road about 250 m long leads to the main gate. Parking fees: car CZK 50 per day, minibus CZK 100, bus CZK 200, motorcycle CZK 30. Another car park is operated by the městys (market town) in the village by the river.
Amenities & dining
- Café
Café Český Šternberk (cafeceskysternberk.cz) operates at the castle. Dogs and other animals may not enter the castle exhibition.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies: not available
A small salon in the so-called lower château can be hired, price by arrangement; wedding ceremonies are not held at the castle.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming with a video camera are permitted after purchasing a licence. |
| Good to know | The castle has one tour route, which takes about 50 minutes and is conducted only with a guide. The commentary is in Czech, English, German, French and Russian; for the Czech tour, written texts in other languages can be borrowed. Outside the regular times, the tour can be booked at least one day in advance. Children under 10 may enter only accompanied by an adult. |
