Hrad Svojanov

About the museum

Svojanov Castle was founded around 1250–1265, although the exact date is not known. The first written mention, from 1287, states that the castle was held by Záviš of Falkenštejn, stepfather of King Wenceslas II. In 1355 Charles IV included Svojanov among eleven castles that were never to be sold or pledged; the Maiestas Carolina code, however, never came into force. Around 1420 the castle came into the possession of Oldřich of Boskovice, who joined the Hussites during the Hussite campaign of 1425.

In the 16th century a Renaissance palace was built at the castle and was rebuilt by the Trčka family of Lípa; remnants of its sgraffito decoration survive. The gate into the castle leads through the Empire-style entrance building, erected before 1690 and rebuilt in the 19th century. The last private owners, the Haasche couple, sold the castle to the town of Polička in 1910; the town has owned it ever since, except for the years of communism.

Today there are two guided tours at the castle: the Empire Château (Empírový zámek), with interiors furnished in the 19th-century style, and the Gothic Castle, with cellars, an exhibition of legends, a torture chamber, a lapidarium and the house of the men-at-arms. The outdoor complex, with the tower, the Gothic garden restored in 2024–2025 and the walls, can be walked without a guide.

Highlights

• Route A Empírový zámek (Empire Château) – 19th-century interiors from the time of the last owners
• Route B Gotický hrad (Gothic Castle) – cellars with figures from legends, torture chamber, lapidarium and the 15th-century house of the men-at-arms
• Route C Outdoor complex – the 26-metre tower Hláska with a view, and the Gothic garden
• The castle from the book Tajemný hrad Svojanov (The Mysterious Castle of Svojanov) by Bohuslav Březovský
• Route for the blind and an accessible route for wheelchair users and prams (route C)

Permanent exhibitions

• Trasa A – Empírový zámek – Tour of the two upper floors of the palace, furnished in 19th-century style, showing the life of the last owners, the Haasche couple, including the kitchen and the pantry.
• Trasa B – Gotický hrad – The tour leads through the Gothic cellars with figures from legends, the torture chamber with replicas of instruments, the lapidarium and the house of the men-at-arms, with an exhibition of house doors and of weapons from the second half of the 15th century.

Operated by

Město Polička (správa hradu Svojanov)

Director

Bc. Pavel Haluza

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to route A, the Empire Château, or route B, the Gothic Castle (including free access to the outdoor area); entry with a dog on the tour routes costs CZK 100.

Accessibility

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

According to the website, the adapted routes for wheelchair users and prams are only on route C (the outdoor complex); the castle also offers a route for the blind. Dogs are welcome at the castle.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Educational programmes for children are available (Po stopách Pipišiho, Jak se staví hrad, Husité útočí), as well as a tour called Bílá paní (The White Lady), holiday camps and the interactive exhibition Království včel a bylin (Kingdom of Bees and Herbs); the family ticket applies. Route C is adapted for prams.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands in the market town of Svojanov, in the valley of the Křetínka stream on the border between Bohemia and Moravia, about 16 km from Polička and 18 km from Svitavy.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

There is a castle restaurant on the grounds (tel. +420 602 252 204) and, on the upper floor of the entrance building, a guesthouse with accommodation.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle offers weddings, hire of spaces and accommodation in the castle guesthouse.

Plan your visit