Státní zámek Hrádek u Nechanic
Romantic castle of the Harrach family in 19th-century Tudor Gothic style, with original furnished interiors, a castle tower and a landscape park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Count František Arnošt of Harrach, an important member of the Jilemnice line of the family, built the castle at Hrádek u Nechanic in 1839–1857 as a representative and summer residence. The romantic castle was based on a design by the English architect Edward Buckton Lamb in the Tudor Gothic style. The construction was led by the young Austrian architect Karl Fischer, who adapted the plans and also designed the interior decoration.
The interiors were made mainly by local craftsmen, and many antiques, mainly from Italy and Austria, were brought to the castle; often these were whole portals, ceilings or complete room fittings. Alongside the construction, in 1844 part of the surrounding forest was laid out as a 24-hectare landscape park by the garden designer Krüger, and a 200-hectare deer park and pheasantry were created.
In 1945 the castle was confiscated under the Beneš Decrees. Today it is managed by the National Heritage Institute; in 2001 it was declared a national cultural monument. The castle exhibition shows how the nobility lived in the second half of the 19th century, in original furnishings: the representative rooms, the apartments of the count and countess, the picture gallery, guest rooms and the castle chapel. The tour also includes the castle cellars with access to the clock tower.
Highlights
- representative halls on the ground floor and original furnished interiors from the second half of the 19th century
- private apartments of the count and countess
- castle cellars with 19th-century boilers and access to the clock tower
- castle chapel and picture gallery
- landscape park and deer park
Permanent exhibitions
- Lesk a sláva Harrachů (základní okruh) – In the original richly decorated and furnished interiors, this tour shows noble living in the second half of the 19th century, as well as the representative halls on the ground floor.
- Osobní život šlechty – The tour leads through the original private rooms of the Harrachs from the second half of the 19th century and is open from May to September.
- Zámeckými sklepy na věž – The seasonal tour through the castle cellars with 19th-century boilers and the 1914 electrical installation leads up to the clock tower.
- Operated by
- Národní památkový ústav (územní památková správa na Sychrově)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 220 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 180 Kčseniors from 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; children aged 0–5 free (on the Christmas tour children from nursery schools pay CZK 70) |
| Seniors | 180 Kčfrom 65 years |
| Visitors with disabilities | 180 Kčholders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Students & apprentices | 180 Kčyoung people aged 18–24 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –booking is required only for groups |
| Life of the Nobility (tour II) | 220 Kčreduced CZK 180, children aged 6–17 pay CZK 70 |
| Guest Rooms (tour III) | 160 Kčreduced CZK 130, children aged 6–17 pay CZK 50 |
| Castle Cellars to the Tower (tour IV) | 120 Kčreduced CZK 100, children aged 6–17 pay CZK 40 |
| Christmas at Hrádek u Nechanic | 220 Kčreduced CZK 180, children aged 6–17 pay CZK 70; booking recommended |
The basic admission applies to the tour Splendour and Glory of the Harrachs with a guide in Czech. Holders of free NPÚ tickets and selected cards (e.g. ICOMOS) also enter free of charge. Parking: car CZK 40, coach CZK 100, motorcycle and bicycle free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The basic tour Splendour and Glory of the Harrachs is step-free (arranged at the ticket office, entrance through the side door), as are the Christmas and Easter tours that follow its route; the other tours have many steps and narrow spaces. In the courtyard there are public toilets, one of which is adapted for wheelchair users (the key is at the souvenir shop). The castle park is freely accessible for wheelchair users. Holders of an OZP card may park free of charge in the small car park in front of the courtyard gate. For deaf visitors the basic tour is offered in Czech Sign Language as videos via QR codes; for people with acquired hearing loss a printed text is available to borrow.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Schools and kindergartens are offered worksheets and Christmas and Easter programmes. Prams are not allowed in the castle; the park is freely accessible.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Hrádek, zámek
There is a direct bus connection from Hradec Králové (terminal HD) on the IREDO 105 line towards Myštěves (Nový Bydžov), stop Hrádek, castle. The nearest railway stops are Lhota pod Libčany (8.5 km) and Dlouhé Dvory (8 km).
By car
Paid parking · 200 m to the entrance
The central castle car park is about 200 m from the castle, opposite the main gate to the park (car CZK 40, coach CZK 100, motorcycle and bicycle free). Parking is allowed only there; badly parked vehicles may be towed away.
- Accessible parking
In the village of Hrádek, navigation may lead into a dead end with a barrier; keep to the main road towards the Church of St George. GPS: 50°13′24″ N, 15°40′1″ E.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
In the courtyard there is a souvenir shop and public toilets.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The castle offers weddings.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours are led by a guide; for schools the castle offers worksheets for Christmas and Easter. Prams of any kind may not be taken into the castle; the castle park is freely accessible. |
