Ten most-visited castles and chateaux in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic boasts hundreds of castles and chateaux. For our photo gallery we selected ten of the most visited sites, all of which are in state ownership and open to the public.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle, photo: Andrew Shiva, CC BY-SA 4.0 According to the Guinness Book of Records, Prague Castle is the largest castle complex in the world, covering an area of nearly 70,000 m². The castle, which is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, consists of an extensive compound of palaces and church buildings of various architectural styles - from remnants of Romanesque architecture from the 10th century, to Gothic modifications made in the 14th century, changes proposed by the well-known Slovenian architect Josip Plečnik in the period of the First Republic and the latest modifications from the end of the 20th century. Part of the castle compound is the Cathedral of St. Vitus, where Czech kings were crowned and buried. More...

Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov, photo: Asahiko, CC BY 4.0 On a rock high up above the Vltava River stands a castle and chateau that graces the town of Český Krumlov. Its history dates back to the 13th century and, together with the city center, it is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Český Krumlov is undoubtedly a must-see for visitors to the Czech Republic. More...

Lednice

Lednice, photo: Henry Kellner, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Lichtenstein noble family built a representative summer residence in the town of Lednice. Built in the English Gothic style, the chateau was intended to host meetings of the European nobility and its richly decorated interiors can easily hold their own with royal palaces around Europe. Its wood-carved ceilings, wood wall panels and carefully selected furniture enchant visitors. More...

Hluboká

Hluboká, photo: Kralpilot, CC BY-SA 3.0 The fairytale castle in Hluboká nad Vltavou offers visitors a tour of its richly decorated interiors. The walls and ceilings of the representative halls on the first floor of the castle are lined with exquisitely carved wood panels. The rooms are decorated with paintings by European masters of the 16th - 18th century. More...

Karlštejn

Karlštejn, photo: Lukáš Kalista, CC BY-SA 3.0 Karlštejn Castle was built in 1348 by the King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It was intended primarily as a treasury for the king’s collection of holy relics and the imperial coronation jewels. The most valuable part of the exposition today is a set of 129 paintings by Master Theodorik in the Chapel of the Holy Cross. More...

Kroměříž

Kroměříž, photo: Radim Holiš, CC BY 3.0 The main attraction is the archbishop's palace with its rich collection of paintings, but you can also visit a masterpiece in garden architecture - the Květná and Podzámecká gardens. The palace and gardens are on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More...

Valtice

Valtice, photo: Me116, CC BY-SA 4.0 The spectacularly decorated castle interiors with their stylish Baroque and Rococo furnishings give testimony about the life of the nobility in the 18th century.

Konopiště

Konopiště, photo: Miaow Miaow, photo: CC BY 2.0 The last inhabitant of Konopiště Castle was the successor to the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand d'Este. After his violent death in Sarajevo in 1914, the chateau was preserved in its authentic style, and in the 1920s it was one of the first chateaus to open to the public. More...

Trosky

Trosky, photo: Zdeněk Fiedler, CC BY-SA 3.0 The ruins of a Gothic castle in Český Ráj (Bohemian Paradise) are reminiscent of a devil's horns. The original castle, built on two steep rocks, was considered to be absolutely impregnable.

Bouzov

Bouzov, photo: Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0 This romantic castle, founded at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, is located near Olomouc. Until 1696 it was owned by members of various Czech and Moravian families, after which the manor and castle was bought by the Order of German Knights. Bouzov Castle has earned the nickname "fairy tale" not only because of its appearance, but also because it served as a backdrop to many fairytales filmed in this country.