Státní zámek Kynžvart

About the museum

Between 1585 and 1597 a Renaissance château of the Cedvic family was built in the valley below Kynžvart Castle. After the Battle of White Mountain the estate was confiscated, and from 1630 it belonged to the Metternich brothers. The family held it until 1945. At the turn of the 17th century Imperial Count Filipp Emmerich von Metternich had a new Baroque château built from the remains of the Renaissance château.

The most famous owner was Chancellor Klemens Václav Lothar Metternich. The old Baroque château no longer met his representative needs, so it was rebuilt in 1820–1839 in the style of Viennese classicism, to designs by the architect Pietro Nobile. Metternich assembled extensive collections in the château; the château museum is one of the oldest private museums in the world. The château bears the European Heritage Label.

Today the château is managed by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). The tours show the château interiors and princely salons with a unique collection of gilt Thomire table services, the museum and cabinet of curiosities, the English park, children’s tours and a step-free route.

Highlights

• Metternich princely salons with a collection of gilt Thomire table services
• Museum and cabinet of curiosities – one of the oldest private museums in the world
• English château park with romantic features and the tour Under the Tree Crowns
• The step-free château tour and children’s tours
• The château bears the European Heritage Label

Permanent exhibitions

• Zámecké interiéry Metternichů – Tour of the château interiors and the princely salons of the Metternich family, with works of art and a collection of gilt Thomire table services.
• Muzeum a kabinet kuriozit – Château museum with collectibles from the collections of Chancellor Metternich and his descendants, and from the collecting activity of Karl Huss, the last executioner of Cheb.

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav

Admission & discounts

The price of the main item applies to the Metternich Château Interiors tour. Payment is possible by card or in cash. Admission is also free for holders of the Na památky pass, NPÚ free tickets, NPÚ employees and holders of the Náš člověk card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 château offers a separate step-free tour, Bezbariérový zámek (Step-Free Château): 30 minutes, for no more than 20 people, with booking required for groups. It makes the château interiors accessible to people with limited mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The château offers a children’s tour of the château or the château gardens in a fairy-tale and entertaining form (Czech only, reservation required); children under 5 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The château lies on the edge of the Slavkovský les Protected Landscape Area, about 2 km from the spa town of Lázně Kynžvart near Mariánské Lázně. From Plzeň, take road I/21 to the village of Stará Voda.

Amenities & 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