Zámek Humprecht

About the museum

Humprecht Castle was built by the Italian architect Carlo Lurago in 1666–1668 as the summer and hunting residence of Count Humprecht Jan Czernin of Chudenice. The building, in the spirit of early Baroque with features of late Renaissance and Mannerism, stands above Sobotka and is one of the symbols of the Bohemian Paradise. In 1678 lightning struck the castle several times and it burned down; within two years it was repaired and raised by one storey, so that since 1680 it has existed in almost the same form.

Humprecht differs greatly from other noble seats: it is a tower with an elliptical ground plan and 27 rooms, inspired by Italian buildings, with a lantern above the upper hall and an unusual roof ornament, a crescent moon. The castle has the interiors of a Baroque hunting castle, and on the first floor there is a 16-metre-high banquet hall with striking acoustics, where the echo lasts 6 to 8 seconds; according to the castle, it is the only such hall in Central Europe. On the second floor there is a viewing gallery.

The castle underwent a general revitalisation co-financed by the European Union and has been open again since 1 July 2023. It is now run by the town of Sobotka and offers several tour routes, the castle tower, a new exhibition on hunting and a forest park on a basalt hill.

Highlights

• 16-metre-high acoustic banquet hall with an echo of 6–8 seconds
• viewing gallery on the second floor with a view of the Bohemian Paradise and the Krkonoše
• castle tower with a crescent moon and a view into the historic roof truss
• Hunting exhibition with a dog salon and a children's room
• black kitchen and private rooms on the first floor

Permanent exhibitions

• Prohlídka zámku – The tour leads through the ground floor with the black kitchen, the acoustic banquet hall, the private rooms on the first floor and the viewing gallery on the second floor.
• Lovectví – A new exhibition on the second floor with hunting-themed castle interiors, a dog salon and a children's room.

Operated by

Město Sobotka

Admission & discounts

The basic admission applies to a castle tour (ground floor with the black kitchen, acoustic banquet hall, private rooms on the first floor and the viewing gallery, about 50 minutes). The Castle Plus tour (about 75 minutes) covers the ground floor, the first floor, the gallery, the hunting exhibition and the tower. For safety reasons, tours always take place with a guide.

Accessibility

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

The website states that dogs may also visit the castle; it gives no information on step-free access to the castle. The Almárium Museum has fully step-free access.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

For families with small children a shortened preview tour is prepared (about 25 minutes, if enough guides are available). The castle recommends the hunting exhibition on the second floor for families with children; it has a dog salon and a children's room. The castle is also open to visitors with dogs.

Getting there & parking

The castle stands above the town of Sobotka at Sobotka 363; the Almárium Museum is in the town centre.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle offers wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit