Státní zámek Velké Březno
Empire castle of the Chotek family from the mid-19th century, with 21 furnished rooms, an observation tower, a castle café and a park by the Elbe.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The new castle in Velké Březno was built in 1842–1845 by Count Karel Chotek, the former Supreme Burgrave of the Kingdom of Bohemia, who wanted to spend the autumn of his life here after retiring. The old castle, closer to the Elbe, no longer suited his ideas of comfort, so a simple Empire building was erected which, it is said, looked more like a railway station of the time but offered every modern comfort.
From 1885 to 1910 Karel Maria Chotek, the founder's grandson, rebuilt the castle in the Neo-Renaissance style. He was a passionate traveller, gardener and photographer, a member of the Vienna Camera Club, and a suitcase of his negatives and photographs has survived at the castle to this day. The Velké Březno branch of the family also produced Sophie Chotková, the wife of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, who died with him in the assassination attempt at Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.
The Chotek family died out in the male line in 1970 with the last owner, Karel Chotek, although the castle had already been confiscated in 1945. Afterwards it served as a children's home, a political school and an army depot. Thanks to the care of the staff, a large part of the original furnishings survived, and after the castle was declared a monument they gradually returned to it. The castle has been open to the public since the 1980s.
Today the tour goes through all the rooms of the first floor and the newly opened children's rooms in the attic, 21 rooms in all, with paintings, photographs and furniture of the Chotek family. Visitors can climb the castle tower for the view and rest in the castle park or the café.
Highlights
- tour of 21 furnished rooms with furniture of the Chotek family
- newly opened children's rooms in the attic
- castle observation tower
- collection of paintings and photographs of Karel Maria Chotek
- castle park with trees labelled with information boards
- castle café and bicycle stand on the Elbe cycle path
Permanent exhibition
- Venkovské sídlo posledních Chotků (základní okruh) – A tour of all the rooms of the first floor and the children's rooms in the attic, 21 furnished rooms in all; the tour includes access to the castle tower.
- Operated by
- Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa v Ústí nad Labem
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 180 Kč |
|---|---|
| Reduced | 140 Kčseniors from 65, young people aged 18–24, holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards |
| Children & teens | 50 Kčfree up to age 5 · Children aged 6–17 pay CZK 50; children under 5 enter free of charge. |
| Seniors | 140 KčSeniors from 65 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | 140 Kčcompanion free · Holders of a ZTP and ZTP/P card pay CZK 140; the guide of a ZTP/P holder enters free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | 140 KčYoung people aged 18 to 24. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –The teaching supervision (1 person per 10 children) and the guides of organised groups (1 person per 15 people) enter free of charge. |
| Castle in Retirement (shortened circuit) – adults | 140 KčSeniors, young people and ZTP/ZTP-P holders pay CZK 110, children aged 6–17 pay CZK 40; the circuit is part of the basic circuit. |
| Castle park with a guide (only groups of 15 or more people) | 120 KčSingle admission; orders by telephone at +420 604 505 323. |
| Seasonal exhibition and observation tower | 60 KčWithout a guide, single price for all categories of visitors. |
The stated prices apply to the basic circuit The Country Seat of the Last Choteks, with a guide in Czech. Free entry is also granted to holders of the Na památky annual pass, annual and single-use free NPÚ tickets, NPÚ employees (with up to three family members), and holders of Náš člověk, ICOMOS and Ministry of Culture employee cards. Foreign-language tours are offered in German and English. Entry to the park and to the Lower Exhibition Hall is free; payment is possible in cash or by card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 castle has no step-free access; after timely arrangement with the administration, a tour of the first floor (shorter circuit) can be arranged. Well-behaved pets on a lead are welcome in the castle park.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The castle presents itself as suitable for children: there are newly opened children's rooms in the attic, the park has space for play, and special events for children take place during the year. Children under 5 enter free of charge; children aged 6 to 17 pay CZK 50.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
BusLine buses run to Velké Březno from Ústí nad Labem (lines 450, 451 and 452); the train on the Lysá nad Labem–Děčín východ line stops at Velké Březno station. From the Neštědice stop you can cross the Elbe by ferry (it runs only at higher water levels); city bus no. 13 from Ústí nad Labem also runs to the terminus at Olešnice.
By car
Parking available
Parking is recommended on the village square; a car can also be parked by the fence of the castle park. The bus stops at the gate and then parks at one of three places in the village about 150 and 300 m away.
Velké Březno lies about 10 km from Ústí nad Labem towards Děčín, close to the international Elbe Cycle Path.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The castle café is open at the same times as the castle and offers coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine, beer, ice cream and sweets. There are three restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the castle. In the courtyard there is a monitored bicycle stand, and the office has basic tools for cyclists (the Cyclists Welcome programme).
Events & venue rental
- Weddings / ceremonies
Wedding ceremonies are held at the castle. The marriage itself is handled by the Velké Březno municipal office, and the castle provides premises by arrangement with the administration, but not in winter and not on Mondays.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photos and videos for private use are allowed outdoors and on the tour route without flash, tripod and selfie stick (except for objects designated by the guide); photographing the guide and filming the tour are prohibited, and drones are not permitted. Commercial and public photography must be arranged in advance at velkebrezno@npu.cz. |
| Good to know | The basic circuit lasts about 60 minutes (no more than 25 people), and booking is required only for groups; after the tour it is possible to climb the castle tower. The shortened Castle in Retirement circuit lasts about 45 minutes and is part of the basic circuit. The Lower Exhibition Hall next to the café is freely accessible without a guide. |
