Buštěhrad Chateau

Buštěhrad Chateau stands in a small town in the Kladno district of the Central Bohemian Region, a short drive west of Prague. Over three centuries the baroque residence passed from noble hands into the ownership of the Austrian imperial family and, eventually, the state – before returning, in this century, to the town itself.

When was the chateau built?

The present building was commissioned by Anna Maria Franziska, Princess of Saxe-Lauenburg, Countess of Neuburg and Grand Duchess of Tuscany, who had become the new owner of the Buštěhrad estate. Construction ran from 1699 to 1705 under the direction of the Prague builder Jindřich (Heinrich) Klingenleitner. The new residence replaced older fortifications that had previously stood on the site.

How did the building change over time?

The first major reconstruction took place between 1747 and 1754, while the estate belonged to Clemens Franz of Bavaria. The building was extended on both sides in works carried out by the Prague builder František Keymel, following designs by two leading architects of Prague baroque, Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer and Anselmo Lurago. The chateau only reached the form visitors see today between 1814 and 1816, when two side wings and a chapel were added, giving the building its current symmetrical silhouette.

Who owned the chateau in the 19th century?

The estate's history is tied closely to the fortunes of European ruling families. After the death of Karolina, the estate was inherited by the Bavarian Elector Maximilian Joseph, who in 1805 ceded it to Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg. In 1847 ownership passed to Emperor Ferdinand V. One notable episode from this period: the exiled French king Charles X stayed at Buštěhrad several times between 1832 and 1836, when it served as his designated summer residence.

What happened to the chateau afterward?

From 1847, Buštěhrad became part of a large complex of imperial estates and remained state-owned for well over a century. That changed in July 2003, when ownership returned to the town of Buštěhrad itself – a reversal that brings the estate's history full circle, back to local ownership.

Frequently asked questions

When was Buštěhrad Chateau built? Construction took place between 1699 and 1705, commissioned by Anna Maria Franziska, Princess of Saxe-Lauenburg.

Who redesigned the chateau in the 18th century? Between 1747 and 1754 the building was extended following designs by Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer and Anselmo Lurago, with construction led by František Keymel.

When did the chateau take on its current appearance? Its present form, including two side wings and a chapel, dates from 1814–1816.

Who owns the chateau today? Since July 2003, the chateau has belonged to the town of Buštěhrad.

Where is the chateau located? It is located in the town of Buštěhrad, in the Kladno district of the Central Bohemian Region, at coordinates 50.1551 N, 14.1915 E.