Barchov Castle

Barchov Castle is a High Baroque chateau standing in the northeastern part of the village of Barchov in the Hradec Králové district, where it forms the main architectural landmark of the settlement. The building was erected between 1727 and 1733 on the site of an earlier medieval fortified manor, commissioned by Kryštof Norbert Voračický z Paběnic, who at the time served as governor (hejtman) of the Hradec Králové region. The interior decoration involved the Czech Baroque painter Petr Brandl, adding artistic weight to the commission. The chateau complex is today protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Who built the chateau, and why on this exact spot?

The location was not arbitrary — Barchov had long been home to a tvrz, a small fortified noble residence typical of medieval Bohemia. Rather than renovate the old structure, Voračický z Paběnic chose to replace it entirely with a grand new building in the fashionable High Baroque style of the day. Construction took six years, finishing in 1733. Bringing in Petr Brandl for the interior decoration signals the ambitions behind the project — Brandl was one of the most sought-after Baroque painters working in Bohemia at the time.

How did ownership change during the 18th century?

The chateau's history after its founder is well documented through a string of property transactions. By the mid-18th century, the estate had passed through the hands of the Libštejnský z Kolovrat family, the lords of Vlkanov, the Prague Invalidovna (a foundation supporting war invalids), the Kinský family, the Černín family, and finally Václav Teuchert. This rapid turnover reflects the typical pattern of land changing hands among Bohemian nobility and charitable institutions during the period.

What happened at the chateau in March 1775?

The most dramatic episode in Barchov's history unfolded in March 1775, when peasant rebels stormed the estate. That year's peasant uprising swept across large parts of Bohemia, with rebels directing their anger at landowners known for exploiting their subjects. In Barchov, the target was Josef Bartoloměj z Vlkanova, described as an extortionate owner, along with his estate manager, Reichenbach. The rebels attacked the chateau in an act of revenge and plundered the building, leaving a lasting mark on the local historical record.

What became of the chateau in the 20th century?

At the start of the 20th century, the estate passed to a financial institution: in 1911 it was purchased by the Pozemková banka (Land Bank). Eight years later, in 1919, the bank sold the property to the Pick family. After 1948, amid the postwar changes in ownership structures across Czechoslovakia, the chateau and its farm buildings were transferred to the State Farms (Státní statky). Under state management, the building fell into steady disrepair, gradually losing its former splendor.

What is happening at the chateau today?

After the fall of communism, in the 1990s, descendants of the last private owner, Mr. Pick, reclaimed the chateau through restitution. Even so, the building remained neglected until 2010. The turning point came when the Souček family purchased the chateau that year. The new owners undertook a gradual, systematic restoration, financed by income from the farmland surrounding the estate. Work included a complete roof replacement along with new windows and renovated facades. As a result, Barchov Castle has begun to recover its historical appearance after decades of neglect.

Frequently asked questions

When was Barchov Castle built? The chateau was built between 1727 and 1733 for Kryštof Norbert Voračický z Paběnic, on the site of an earlier medieval fortified manor.

Who decorated the interiors? The Czech Baroque painter Petr Brandl worked on the interior decoration during the construction period.

What happened at the chateau in 1775? Peasant rebels attacked and plundered the chateau during the 1775 peasant uprising, as revenge against an exploitative owner and his estate manager.

Who owns the chateau today? Since 2010 the chateau has belonged to the Souček family, who are carrying out a gradual restoration funded by income from the surrounding farmland.

Is the chateau a protected monument? Yes, the entire chateau complex in Barchov is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.