Budkov Castle

Budkov Castle sits in the village of Budkov in the Třebíč District, part of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic, roughly 11 km west of Moravské Budějovice and 8 km northeast of Jemnice. Over more than six centuries the site shifted from a Gothic moated stronghold to a Renaissance manor, and today it serves a purely social purpose as a children's home.

How old is the site, and how did it start out?

The earliest written record dates back to 1353, when Jan z Budkova sold the local Gothic water fortress to two brothers, Jeník the Elder and Jeník the Younger of Mezimostí. In the early 16th century the building was reworked in a late-Gothic style, and between 1545 and 1555 the Hrubčický of Čechtín family rebuilt it into a Renaissance castle. Later, more modest Baroque changes were made to the interiors under František Karel Berchtold of Uherčice.

Which families owned Budkov over the centuries?

Ownership passed through a long line of Bohemian and Moravian noble families. After the Hrubčický of Čechtín and the Berchtolds of Uherčice, the estate came into the hands of František Xaver Krakovský of Kolovraty. In 1853 it was bought by Prince Karel III of Liechtenstein, later passing to Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein, and in 1908 the property was acquired by the Salm family.

What does the castle look like today?

The most recognizable feature is the gate tower with a clock, a surviving piece of the original water fortress. Five wings enclose an irregular courtyard lined with arcades resting on Tuscan columns — open on the ground floor, glazed on the upper level. In the first quarter of the 19th century an English-style landscape park of about 3.3 hectares was laid out around the building, complete with a water garden built on a system of ponds and channels. The castle is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic under registration number 14438/7-2569.

What is the castle used for now?

Since the end of World War II the building has functioned as a children's home. At different points it also sheltered refugee children from Greece and from Korea. Following a partial reconstruction carried out after the 1970s, a further renovation began in August 2022, covering facade repairs and the replacement of windows and doors; the work was completed in 2024. Right next to the castle stands the recently restored Church of St Martin.

Can visitors go inside Budkov Castle?

No. Because the building operates as a children's home, the interior is not open to tourists. The castle can only be viewed from the outside, for instance while walking through the village of Budkov or passing along the edge of its park. No major roads run through the area, which keeps the surroundings quiet.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Budkov Castle located? In the village of Budkov, Třebíč District, Vysočina Region, Czech Republic, about 11 km west of Moravské Budějovice.

Is Budkov Castle the same place as Beckov Castle in Slovakia? No. These are two entirely different sites in different countries — Beckov Castle stands in the Trenčín Region of Slovakia and has no connection to the Czech Budkov Castle.

How did the castle originate? It grew out of a Gothic moated fortress first recorded in 1353, when Jan z Budkova sold it to the brothers of Mezimostí.

Is it possible to visit the interior? No, since the building currently houses a children's home. Only the exterior can be viewed.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The neighboring, recently restored Church of St Martin, along with the landscape park and water garden surrounding the castle.