Castle Hradiště (Blovice)

Castle Hradiště is a neo-Gothic residence standing on the south-eastern edge of the town of Blovice, on a promontory framed by the Úslava River and the Komoranský stream. The building now houses the Museum of Southern Pilsen Region and has been protected as a cultural monument since 1963.

Where does the name Hradiště come from?

The name refers to an old Slavic hillfort ("hradiště" is the Czech word for the site of a former fortified settlement) that once stood on this spot, long before the Gothic stronghold was built. The first written mention of the fortress at Hradiště dates back to 1545, though the original Gothic residential tower had already been standing since the late 15th century.

How did the building change over the centuries?

The castle's history is essentially a sequence of rebuilds:

• in the 16th century the Gothic tower was expanded into a two-wing Renaissance castle,
• in 1704 its then-owner, Jan Josef of Újezd, had it remodeled in Baroque style,
• after 1726 Count Vilém Albrecht Kolovrat carried out a further, extensive Baroque reconstruction,
• between 1845 and 1846 the building received a Classicist finish,
• and its present appearance dates from the grand neo-Gothic reconstruction of 1872–1874, carried out under the Pálffy family, who made Hradiště their main summer residence.

Who owned the castle?

Over the centuries the estate passed through several hands — from the original lords of Hradiště, through the Kolovrat family, to the Pálffys, who gave the building the tower-topped, neo-Gothic silhouette it still has today. Since 2000 the castle has been administered by the Pilsen Region as a contributory organization, and since 2002, following extensive restoration, it has been fully open to visitors.

What can visitors see inside the castle today?

The building houses the Museum of Southern Pilsen Region, whose permanent exhibitions cover the museum's founder, Father Raušar, along with regional archaeology, folk architecture and traditional folk costumes from the area around Blovice. Visitors can also see reconstructed interiors — both middle-class and aristocratic — illustrating how different social classes lived in the southern Pilsen region in past centuries.

Is there anything to see beyond the castle building itself?

The castle is surrounded by a 4.8-hectare park, maintained according to the museum's budget, making it a pleasant place for a walk after touring the exhibitions. Right next to the castle stands the Chapel of St. Andrew, where civil wedding ceremonies are held, which has made Hradiště a popular wedding venue.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castle Hradiště part of the town of Blovice? Yes, the castle stands on the south-eastern edge of Blovice, in the district that carries the same name — Hradiště.

What is inside the castle today? The Museum of Southern Pilsen Region, with permanent exhibitions on regional archaeology, ethnography and history.

When is the castle open to visitors? The museum opens the castle seasonally — in August, for example, daily except Mondays, from 10:00 to 17:00. It's worth checking the current schedule on the museum's website before visiting.

Can you get married at the castle? Yes, civil wedding ceremonies take place in the adjoining Chapel of St. Andrew.

Where does the castle's current neo-Gothic look come from? From the large-scale reconstruction of 1872–1874, carried out during the era of the Pálffy family.