Zámek Ratibořice

About the museum

The first record of a manor and village in Ratibořice dates from 1388. The medieval fortress was never inhabited; it gradually fell into disrepair and had disappeared by the end of the 16th century. The present chateau grew out of a Baroque garden pavilion in the style of Italian casinos, which Prince Lorenzo Piccolomini had built in 1702–1708 as a summer and hunting residence.

The chateau was made famous by Duchess Kateřina Vilemína Zaháňská, who chose Ratibořice as her permanent summer residence. In 1825–1826 she had the chateau rebuilt in the spirit of Classicism and the Empire style, and laid out a landscape park around it, which gradually spread over the whole valley of the Úpa river. Notable guests were received here, for example Prince Metternich. In 1813 a secret discussion about an anti-Napoleonic coalition took place in the chateau. The wider public knows the duchess as the “paní kněžna” (the Princess) from Babička.

From 1842 the chateau belonged to the Schaumburg-Lippe family, who adapted it into its present form in 1860–1864. The family was related to the Danish royal family, and it owned the chateau until nationalisation in 1945. Today the chateau and the whole Babička Valley are managed by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ). The main reason for a visit is Božena Němcová's novel, whose plot takes place mainly at the Old Bleaching Ground and in its surroundings.

Highlights

• classicist, Empire and Biedermeier salons in the Duchess of Zaháň's apartment
• ground-floor interiors from the time of the Schaumburg-Lippe family, with Danish porcelain and family portraits
• Old Bleaching Ground with Babička's little room, free admission
• Rudrův mlýn (Rudr's Mill) with historical technical equipment and the miller's living quarters
• water mandl (vodní mandl) from the first half of the 19th century
• chateau park and the Babička Valley nature trail

Permanent exhibitions

• Doba vévodkyně Zaháňské (základní okruh) – The first-floor salons from the Classicist, Empire and Biedermeier periods recall the years when the Duchess of Zaháň lived here. They are supplemented by paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries and a collection of European porcelain and glass.
• Zámek Ratibořice (celý zámek) – In addition to the first-floor tour, there are ground-floor interiors from the time of the last private owners from the Schaumburg-Lippe family, furnished with 19th-century furniture, family portraits and a collection of Danish porcelain.
• Rudrův mlýn a Staré bělidlo – The setting of the novel Babička: a mill rebuilt in the 18th century with historical technical equipment, and the Old Bleaching Ground with Babička's little room, furnished with folk furniture.

Operated by

Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa na Sychrově

Admission & discounts

The basic price applies to the tour “Doba vévodkyně Zaháňské” (about 30 minutes, first floor) with commentary in Czech. Touring the whole chateau, including the ground floor, costs CZK 200. Most tours can be paid for by card. Free admission is also granted to holders of free NPÚ tickets and certain cards; for some tours the Na památky pass can be used. Tickets are best bought online, especially for the Christmas tours and the Babička Valley tour with a guide.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 chateau has a step-free ticket office and toilets, and part of the tour route on the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users. Five parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are reserved in front of the main entrance to the chateau park, about 100 m from the chateau. With assistance, the Babička Valley nature trail can also be followed. At all objects managed by the National Heritage Institute, a printed guide text for the basic route, adapted for visitors with acquired hearing loss, can be borrowed free of charge at the ticket office.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area

Near the car park in front of the chateau there is a children's corner with a swing, a climbing frame and monkey bars. In July, tours with Countess Hortensia are prepared for parents with children aged four and over. The chateau also offers separate school tours.

Getting there & parking

Ratibořice is a junction of several cycle routes (4018, 4055, 4097 and 4098). A walk along the Babička Valley nature trail from Česká Skalice is also recommended.

Amenities & dining

Quick refreshments are offered by kiosks and stalls on the grounds, for example Posezení na mlejně and the kiosk U zámku. Nearby restaurants are in Ratibořice (Pension Viktorka) and in Zlíč (Hotel Holzbecher, Restaurace Barunka). There are bicycle racks on the grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 70 guests.

Together with the Municipal Office of Česká Skalice, weddings can be held in the chateau (for up to 70 people) or in the park. The date must first be arranged at the registry office in Česká Skalice.

Plan your visit