Státní zámek Hořovice

About the museum

After the Battle of White Mountain the Martinic family acquired Hořovice, and under their rule the old château fell into disrepair. The foundations of the new château were laid at the end of the 17th century, probably by Bernard Ignác of Martinic. In 1690 Jan František Bruntálský z Vrbna bought the estate, and the family resided at the château until 1852. In the second building phase, from 1737 to around 1757, the H-shaped ground plan was created, together with a projecting bay with a fresco by Jan Ferdinand Schor, and the park. The Hercules Gate is decorated with statues from the workshop of Matthias Bernhard Braun.

In 1852 the château was bought by the Elector of Hesse, Frederick William I, and his descendants, the princes of Hanau, owned it until 1945. The reconstructions to a design by Gottlob Engelhardt in 1856–1868 gave the château its present symmetrical ground plan, and in 1889 the interiors and façades were adapted to a design by Otto Hieser. After the Second World War the château was nationalised, and in 1954 it was partly opened to the public with a museum exhibition.

From about 1974 the château was closed because of its dangerous condition, and a reconstruction followed; the rooms were gradually opened between 1985 and 1989. In 2002 the château was declared a national cultural monument. Today it is managed by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), and offers the tours Life on a Manor House and New Château as well as the selective tour Games and Toys of Little Aristocrats.

Highlights

• Tour Life on a Manor House – staircase hall with a baroque fresco, chapel and the prince’s and princess’s suite
• Tour New Château – authentically furnished social and private rooms of the last owners
• Dining lift, oval library, playroom and the princess’s bath
• Exhibition Games and Toys of Little Aristocrats
• Hercules Gate with statues from the workshop of Matthias Bernhard Braun, and the château park

Permanent exhibitions

• Život na panském sídle – Basic tour through the representative rooms from the 18th to the first half of the 20th century, including the staircase hall with a baroque fresco, the chapel and the prince’s and princess’s suite.
• Nový zámek – The tour shows the authentically furnished social and private rooms on the upper floor, the servants’ quarters on the ground floor and the private rooms of the last owners.
• Hry a hračky malých aristokratů – Selective tour with toys of aristocratic children from the storerooms of castles and châteaux.

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav

Admission & discounts

The price of CZK 220 applies to both the Life on a Manor House tour and the New Château tour; the tours are in Czech. For the first two tours online ticket purchase is recommended. Free admission is also granted to holders of staff cards, NPÚ cards, ICOMOS cards and Na zámky cards.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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 interiors are on the first floor and are not step-free. The château park is accessible without restriction; its paths are gravel. The exhibition of games and toys on the ground floor is accessible with assistance, as there is one step leading to it. There is no step-free toilet in the château.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The changing table is in the ground-floor toilet lobby opposite the château bistro; the children’s playground is about 50 m from the château in the Panská zahrada (Manor Garden). The exhibition of aristocratic children’s toys is intended for pre-booked groups.

Getting there & parking

By car from Prague or Plzeň, take the D5 and leave at exit 34 towards Hořovice, then follow road I/117. The château lies on cycle route no. 303; bicycle stands are at the entrance gate.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The château has a café/bistro with seating inside and outside. Dogs are not allowed in the interiors; in the park they must be on a lead.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings can be held in the château or in the park.

Plan your visit