Castle in Planá

Castle in Planá is one of the more architecturally layered — and, today, one of the least accessible — landmarks of western Bohemia: a complex of buildings raised and reshaped across nearly seven centuries, from Gothic origins through twentieth-century use. It stands on the edge of the small town of Planá in the Tachov District of the Plzeň Region, set within a large English-style landscape park.

How did the castle change over the centuries?

The oldest structure on the site was a Gothic castle, likely built in the 13th century, though the first firmly documented mention of a castle here is tied to a fire that struck the town in 1395. What followed was a long sequence of rebuildings, each reflecting the taste and resources of a new owner: by the late 16th century the complex had taken on a Renaissance form, the 17th and 18th centuries brought a Baroque remodeling, and the 19th century added Classicist touches. The result visible today is a deliberately uneven, layered ensemble where several architectural periods sit side by side rather than blending into one style.

Who owned the castle over the years?

The first known holder of the Planá estate and its earliest castle was Dobrohost z Plané, recorded in the mid-14th century. Ownership later passed to the Žeberka family, and from the late 16th century to the Schlick (Šlik) family — under whose rule mining flourished in the region, to the point that a mint was relocated to Planá after it ceased operating in Jáchymov. The 17th and 18th centuries belonged to the Sinzendorf family, responsible for the Baroque reconstruction, and from 1822 until the mid-20th century the estate belonged to the Nostitz family, its last private owners before nationalization.

What is the castle's connection to Albrecht von Wallenstein?

Planá's castle earned a small but notable place in Central European history through a single stop: in 1634, Albrecht von Wallenstein — supreme commander of the imperial forces during the Thirty Years' War — halted here shortly before his assassination in Cheb. It's one of the rare instances where this otherwise local castle brushed up against events of continental significance.

What happened to the castle after 1948?

Nationalization in 1948 ended the building's residential role. From then until 1991, it housed a border guard unit, a use that effectively sealed the castle off from both locals and visitors for over four decades. Since 1991 the castle has been in private hands, with its situation complicated by ongoing restitution claims. In 2017, a serious fire damaged the roof of the southwestern wing, adding further strain to the building's condition.

Can visitors see the castle and park today?

The castle building itself is currently closed to visitors — it is presently offered for sale and hosts no regular tourist program. The surrounding English-style landscape park, however, is freely open to the public, with a walk through it typically taking around half an hour. In the 13th century, the grounds now covered by tranquil, tree-lined paths were instead ringed by moats, earthen ramparts, fish ponds, and marshy ground — a starkly different picture from the peaceful park visitors encounter now.

Frequently asked questions

Is the castle in Planá open to the public? No. The castle building is closed, privately owned, and currently for sale. The park surrounding it, though, is open and free to enter.

How old is the castle in Planá? Its oldest, Gothic core may date to the 13th century, with the first confirmed written mention from 1395. The building's current, multi-style form is the product of rebuildings that continued into the 20th century.

Which owners shaped the castle's current appearance the most? The most visible changes came under the Schlick family (Renaissance), the Sinzendorf family (Baroque), and the Nostitz family (19th-century Classicist alterations) — their successive renovations account for the uneven look of the complex today.

What else is worth seeing in Planá besides the castle? The town's Church of Saints Peter and Paul, dating to the 13th century, is a nationally protected monument known for its unique frescoes and a rare Romanesque portal with an arcaded frieze.