Zámek Častolovice

About the museum

The history of the castle in Častolovice goes back to the 13th century, when a moated manor stood here. The owners changed often; the best known was Jiří of Poděbrady, whose first wife was Kunhuta of Šternberk. In 1495 Vilém of Pernštejn bought the manor, and in 1577 Rudolf II acquired it; after seven years he sold it to the lords of Oppersdorf. In 1588–1615 Jan Bedřich of Oppersdorf and his wife Magdalena of Donín had the moated manor rebuilt as a Renaissance castle, and in 1694 the highest burgrave of the kingdom, Adolf Vratislav of Šternberk, bought it.

In the second half of the 19th century part of the castle was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style and an English park was created. At the beginning of the 20th century most of the Neo-Gothic elements were removed to bring back the Renaissance appearance, and a massive tower with a water tank was built above the entrance. In 1940 the castle came under German forced administration; after the war it was returned to Leopold Šternberk, and in 1948 the state confiscated it.

In 1992 the castle was returned through restitution to Diana Phipps Šternberková, who began restoring the gardens and park: a deer park with white fallow deer, and a rose and water garden with about 200 varieties of old roses were created. Since 2024 the castle has belonged to her daughter. The castle is not only a museum but also a place where people live; the site includes an exhibition, a café with restaurant, a gallery, a park with a deer enclosure, the Gloriet gazebo, a mini zoo and a children's playground.

Highlights

• Renaissance coffered ceilings from around 1600 in the west wing
• Knights' Hall with 24 scenes from the Old Testament
• paintings by Baroque masters, including Škréta's Young Hunter
• rose and water garden with about 200 varieties of old roses
• deer enclosure with white fallow deer and a mini zoo

Permanent exhibition

• Zámecká expozice – The tour presents the Renaissance coffered ceilings from around 1600, the Knights' Hall and a collection of paintings from the Baroque, Empire and Biedermeier periods.

Operated by

Zámek Častolovice (soukromý majitel)

Admission & discounts

Admission to the castle exhibition. Dogs are welcome on the tour free of charge. The deer enclosure is charged separately.

Accessibility

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

For wheelchair users there is a platform lift on the main staircase giving step-free access to the exhibition, and an accessible toilet. Special touch tours are prepared for blind visitors. Non-standard tours should be announced by telephone in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

For the youngest visitors there are children's tours at weekends (in October 2026 at 13:30). The grounds have a children's playground, a deer enclosure with fallow deer and a mini zoo; the toilets have a baby changing table. A family ticket costs CZK 660.

Getting there & parking

The castle ticket office is in the courtyard, and the tours start from there.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

In the courtyard there is a café with restaurant (homemade cakes and lunches), a kiosk and, in summer, an ice-cream stand; refreshments are served in the Gloriet gazebo in the park. The café is run by H&H Castlecafe. Next to the café is a gallery with sales exhibitions.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle has a ceremonial hall, and weddings and social events are held in the castle's orangery.

Plan your visit