Zámek Loučeň
Thurn and Taxis castle with costumed guided tours, an extensive park and a labyrinth park with mazes near Nymburk.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
After 1623 the Loučeň estate passed from family to family, most often through marriages of heiresses. After the Wallensteins, the owners became the Fürstenbergs, and after them the Thurn and Taxis family; the first owner from that family was Maximilian Thurn and Taxis. The family opened a postal depot here, which in 1861 was raised to a regular post office.
The marriage of Alexander Thurn and Taxis to Maria von Hohenlohe brought a cultivated personality into the family, in contact with artists, for example the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. The composer Bedřich Smetana spent the last nine years of his life in the hunting lodge in nearby Jabkenice, where his son-in-law and his brother worked as managers of the Thurn and Taxis forests; he gave concerts at Loučeň castle several times and in 1880 dedicated the piece Z domoviny (From the Homeland) to the princely couple.
The castle exhibition is devoted to the period one hundred years ago, when the castle was home to the princely family; the tours are led by guides in period costume. Today the castle complex is run by the Zámecký okrašlovací spolek (Castle Beautification Society); on the grounds there is a park with labyrinths and mazes, a restaurant and a castle hotel.
Highlights
- classic tour with guides in period costume about the life of the Thurn and Taxis princely family
- music salon where Bedřich Smetana gave concerts
- castle park with labyrinths and mazes
- children's tours and chocolate or evening tours
- castle hotel and restaurant on the grounds
Permanent exhibition
- Zámecká expozice rodiny Thurn-Taxisů – Exhibition devoted to the period one hundred years ago, when the castle was home to the princely family; the tour is led by guides in period costume.
- Operated by
- Zámecký okrašlovací spolek, z.s.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 295 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 210 Kčseniors from 65, children under 15, students with a card, and holders of a ZTP card |
| Children & teens | 210 Kčchildren under 15 pay the reduced admission; children in a pram enter free of charge |
| Seniors | 210 KčSeniors from 65 years on presentation of a card. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 210 Kčcompanion free · Holders of a ZTP card; the guide of a ZTP/P holder enters free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | 210 KčStudents on presentation of a card. |
| Groups | 160 Kč per personSchool groups: castle tour and park with labyrinths CZK 160 per pupil, park with labyrinths for nursery and primary schools CZK 99 per pupil, educational programme CZK 180 per person; one free teacher escort per 10 children (nursery school) or 20 children (primary school). |
| Labyrinth park – adults | 210 KčReduced admission CZK 150. |
| Evening tour | 335 Kč |
| Annual family ticket (2 adults and 2 children under 18) | 2,000 KčUnlimited entry to the labyrinth park and one classic or children's tour for the family; does not apply to special tours. |
| Chocolate tour – surcharge | 60 KčSurcharge per person in addition to the admission price. |
The basic price includes the castle tour and admission to the park with labyrinths. The ticket is single-use and does not allow repeated entry. Surcharge for a tour in a foreign language CZK 1,400 per group; for a tour outside opening hours CZK 1,500 per group (school groups without surcharge). Dog CZK 50; only small breeds in a bag may enter the castle.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Children's tours (including those with the White Lady) take children through the castle and the music salon and sometimes up to the castle attic; the park has labyrinths and mazes.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Loučeň · 300 m
From Prague by bus via Nymburk, where the bus station is next to the main railway station; the bus stop in Loučeň is about 300 m from the castle gate.
By car
Paid parking
Car park in front of the grounds, opposite the main gate: car CZK 100 per day, motorcycle CZK 50, coach CZK 300 (paid to the staff or at the info centre). When the car park is full, the car park behind the Sokol hall about 500 m away can be used.
From Prague along road R10 towards Mladá Boleslav, exit 27 Benátky nad Jizerou; from Nymburk along road no. 38 towards Mladá Boleslav, and turn right in Krchleby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
On the grounds there are the Ferdinand buffet restaurant, the Maxmilian restaurant and other refreshments; the Maxmilian castle hotel is also on site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The castle offers weddings, corporate events and school programmes.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The classic tour with a guide in period costume lasts about 50 minutes and is limited to 25 people. For more than 8 people a tour can be arranged at other times; the booking must be made at least 20 minutes before the start. Tickets bought in advance must be redeemed at the info centre no later than 10 minutes before the tour. |
