Státní hrad Švihov
Late Gothic water castle from the end of the 15th century, with a double ring of walls, water moats, a chapel, a tower and an exhibition on the film Tři oříšky pro Popelku (Three Wishes for Cinderella).
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About the museum
Švihov Castle was built at the end of the 15th century by the royal judge Půta Švihovský of Rýzmburk, one of the most significant men of his family, who moved skilfully at the court of King Vladislav Jagiello. He also added the castles of Rábí, Horažďovice and Prácheň to the Švihov estate. From the outset the castle was designed as an artificial island: the core, with palaces, a chapel and a staircase tower, enclosed a square courtyard and was protected by inner walls with four corner bastions and a water moat.
The second ring of walls, with another moat fed by water from the Úhlava river, was completed only after Půta's death in 1504; the late Gothic architect Benedikt Ried took part in the completion. The castle is among the youngest in Bohemia: it is a Gothic castle in a Renaissance plaster, and for some time it even served as a granary.
Today the castle is managed by the National Heritage Institute. The tour circuits show life in a noble residence, the kitchen and the quarters of the burgrave, a viewing tower with an exhibition on the restoration of the castle, a boat trip along the water moat, and an exhibition on the fairy tale Tři oříšky pro Popelku in the White Bastion (Bílá bašta).
Highlights
- late Gothic water castle with a double ring of walls and moats
- main tour: banqueting hall, armoury, dance hall and castle chapel
- kitchen tour: cellars, guardroom and the office of the burgrave
- 38-metre-high tower with an exhibition on the restoration of the castle
- boats on the water moat and the exhibition on Cinderella in the White Bastion
Permanent exhibitions
- Hrad – Život na šlechtickém sídle – Tour of the representative spaces of the late medieval castle: banqueting hall, armoury, dance hall, the residential chambers of the lady of the castle and the castle chapel.
- Popelka – Za tajemstvím Popelčina střevíčku – Separately viewable exhibition in the White Bastion on the film Tři oříšky pro Popelku (Three Wishes for Cinderella), intended mainly for children.
- Operated by
- Národní památkový ústav
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 220 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 180 Kčseniors over 65, young people aged 18–24, holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Children & teens | 70 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children aged 6–17 pay CZK 70; children under 5 enter free. |
| Seniors | 180 KčSeniors from 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 180 Kčcompanion free · The companion of a holder of a ZTP/P card enters free. |
| Students & apprentices | 180 KčYoung people aged 18–24. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –School supervision (1 person per 10 children) and guides of organised groups (minimum 15 people) enter free; reservation is required for groups. |
| Kitchen – Background of a Noble Residence, basic | 160 KčReduced CZK 130, children aged 6–17 CZK 50. |
| Tower – From Ruin to Monument, adults | 160 KčWithout a guide. |
| Boat – On the Water Around the Walls | 100 KčFor up to 4 persons, adults. |
| Cinderella – exhibition without a guide, adults | 140 Kč |
The price of the main item applies to the main circuit. Payment is possible by card and in cash. Free admission is also granted to holders of free NPÚ tickets, NPÚ employees and holders of the Náš člověk card.
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 accessibility of the castle is not stated in the visitor information overview on the website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The exhibition Popelka – Za tajemstvím Popelčina střevíčku (Cinderella – In Search of the Secret of Cinderella's Slipper) is intended mainly for children (puzzles, riddles); a boat can be borrowed on the water moat. Children under 5 enter free.
Getting there & parking
The castle is in Švihov in the Klatovy district of the Plzeň Region; the main entrance is from Žižkova Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The main circuit takes about 50 minutes (up to 30 people), the kitchen circuit 40 minutes (15 people), the tower 40 minutes (10 people, without a guide), the boat 30 minutes and the Cinderella exhibition 30 minutes (without a guide). Reservations are required for groups. |
