Hrad Ledeč nad Sázavou

About the museum

Ledeč Castle stands on a limestone spur above the Sázava river. It is among the oldest noble castles in Bohemia and is the only surviving castle in the central Sázava region. The first written mention of Ledeč dates from 1186, when Princess Eliška gave the village to the Knights Hospitallers. From the mid-15th century the castle belonged to the lords of Ledeč of Říčany, and in 1562 Ledeč was elevated to a town.

In the following centuries the owners of the estate often changed; they included the Trčka of Lípa and the Lobkowicz family, for example. Gradually the noble seat became the administrative and economic centre of the estate, and in the 18th century part of the buildings served as barracks. In the fire of the town in 1879 the castle was largely destroyed. Until the end of the First World War the estate was owned by the Tereziánský ústav šlechtičen (Theresian Institute for Noblewomen); afterwards it passed into state administration, and in 1951 it finally went to the Československé státní lesy (Czechoslovak State Forests).

Today the castle is run by the company Hrad Ledeč nad Sázavou s.r.o. Visitors can walk the castle tour, which is linked with the Museum of Historical Clocks, the children's tour Medvídkové království (Kingdom of Teddy Bears) and the Jaroslav Foglar Museum, and climb the castle tower with a view of the town and the river.

Highlights

• Castle tour with a guided explanation of the castle's history
• Museum of Historical Clocks with about 250 exhibits from the Renaissance to the present
• Sgraffito ceiling with figural and plant motifs from the 16th century
• Children's tour Teddy Bears' Kingdom with more than 1,000 plush teddy bears
• Jaroslav Foglar Museum with illustrations by Milan Teslevič and the camp of the Boys from the Beaver River
• Castle tower with 111 spiral steps and a view of the Sázava region

Permanent exhibitions

• Hradní okruh a Muzeum historických hodin – Guided tour of the castle's history with a representative salon and a room with a 16th-century sgraffito ceiling; includes a collection of about 250 clocks from the Renaissance to the present.
• Dětský okruh Medvídkové království – Exhibition of more than 1,000 plush teddy bears, which continues in the historic cellar with the krampus figures; the tour includes the climb to the southern terrace.
• Muzeum Jaroslava Foglara – Eight rooms on the life and work of the writer Jaroslav Foglar, with illustrations by Milan Teslevič, life-size figures of the Rychlé šípy (Fast Arrows) and a model of the camp of the Boys from the Beaver River.

Operated by

Hrad Ledeč nad Sázavou s.r.o.

Admission & discounts

Prices always apply to one tour route (castle tour, Jaroslav Foglar Museum, children's tour, tower).

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 castle tower is reached by 111 spiral steps.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

The children's tour Medvídkové království is intended mainly for children and lovers of toys: in addition to plush teddy bears, it leads to the historic cellar with the krampus figures and to the southern terrace with a view of the town and a small hedge labyrinth. A family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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