Státní zámek Červená Lhota

About the museum

The chateau stands on a rocky spur in the middle of a pond. A fortified manor stood on the site of today's building from the mid-14th century; the first written mention dates from 1465. Around 1530 the Kába family of Rybňany bought it, and after a plague epidemic in 1557, in which the knight Jan lost five children, a simple chapel of the Holy Trinity was built on the hill above the pond. The name is explained by a legend about an impious lady carried off by the devil, and by a bloodstain on the white facade that supposedly led to the red paint.

After the Kábas the estate was owned by the Rut family of Dírná; from 1641 by Vilém Slavata; in 1693 Červená Lhota passed to the Windischgrätz family and in 1755 to the Gudenus family. After a fire in 1774 the new owner from 1776, Baron Ignác Stillfried, hosted the ageing composer Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf, who died on the estate. In 1820 the chateau was bought by Jakub Veith, and in 1835 by the princely Schönburg-Hartenstein family, who lived here until 1945.

After the war the chateau briefly served as a children's convalescent home. From 1949 it has been open to the public, and today it is managed by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). The main tour leads through the historic interiors of the first floor, furnished as they looked after the last rebuilding in 1910; this includes the attic children's rooms with historical toys and the 16th-century cellars, from the time when a fortified manor still stood here. In winter the Schönburg Christmas is held.

Highlights

• Chateau with red facades on a rocky spur in the middle of a pond
• Authentic first-floor interiors from the time of the last owners, the Schönburg-Hartenstein princes
• Attic rooms of the owners' children with historical toys
• 16th-century cellars with a model of the original fortified manor (in July and August)
• Schönburg Christmas with an exhibition of nativity scenes
• Chateau chapel of the Holy Trinity on the hill above the pond

Permanent exhibitions

• Historické interiéry prvního patra – The basic tour shows the apartment of the last owners, the Schönburg-Hartenstein princes, as it looked after 1910, with original furnishings; the 2017 installation is based on archival inventories and on the memories of Princess Sofie.
• Podkrovní pokoje – Children's rooms, the lady's maid's room, the hall and the picture gallery in the attic, created during the rebuilding of 1902 to 1910.
• Sklepení – Three cellar rooms from the 16th century, partly cut into the rock, and a model of the chateau showing what the original fortified manor looked like.

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa v Českých Budějovicích

Admission & discounts

The tour is in Czech. Free admission is granted, among others, to school group supervisors (1 adult per 10 children), group guides for groups of 15 or more, holders of ICOMOS cards, NPÚ staff and NPÚ-issued tickets, and accredited journalists. Organised groups pay collectively. Payment is possible in cash or by card at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

Only the courtyard is step-free; the interior tours are not. Animals are not allowed into the chateau interiors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

During the tour children can look for details in the first floor and attic using the booklet “Kdo se dívá, nezlobí” (Who Looks, Doesn't Misbehave; available from the guide). Worksheets “Anton provádí po parku” and a comic about the legend of why Lhota is red can be downloaded. The attic rooms show the children's rooms of the last owners with historical toys. There is a changing table in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

From Jindřichův Hradec the route follows road no. 128 through Deštná (about 19.6 km, 25 minutes). Coordinates for navigation: 49.2471817N, 14.8847975E.

Amenities & dining

There is a boat rental on the chateau pond, but because of the low water level its operation is closed until further notice.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Wedding ceremonies take place in the chateau's wedding hall or in the chateau park; the chateau chapel is intended for Roman Catholic church weddings.

Plan your visit