Castle in Vysoká u Příbramě

The Castle in Vysoká u Příbramě is a 19th-century château in the small Czech village of Vysoká u Příbramě, best known today as a memorial site dedicated to composer Antonín Dvořák. Built in 1877 in the neo-Renaissance style for Count Václav Robert of Kounic, Dvořák's brother-in-law, the building owes its unusual fame entirely to this family connection.

What is the link between the château and Antonín Dvořák?

Count Kounic gave the composer open access to visit the château whenever he wished, and Dvořák quickly grew fond of the surrounding countryside and the quiet of Vysoká. In 1884 he bought an older granary near the château from his brother-in-law and had it converted into a family summer home. From then until his death in 1904, Dvořák returned to Vysoká regularly with his family, using it as a retreat from the pace of Prague and Vienna. It was here that he composed or completed parts of several of his major operas, including Dimitrij, The Jacobin, The Devil and Kate, and Armida, along with numerous symphonies, dances, and symphonic poems. The most famous connection, though, is with the opera Rusalka: one of the two small ponds in the château park is said to have inspired the work, a detail that remains a favorite among today's visitors.

What can you see at the château and museum?

Since 1994, the entire château has housed a permanent exhibition dedicated to Antonín Dvořák, including the original library and a concert hall that still hosts recitals and musical gatherings. Since 2001, the château's cellar has additionally held the Václav Kounic Gallery, showcasing items connected to the family that commissioned the building. A visit lets you trace both the composer's biography and the everyday life of a landed Bohemian family in the second half of the 19th century. No trip is complete without a walk through the surrounding landscape park with its two ponds, which give the site its distinctly intimate, picturesque character.

How do you get to the château in Vysoká?

Vysoká u Příbramě lies in the Příbram district, a short distance from the town of Příbram, making the château an easy day-trip destination from Prague or the surrounding region. Driving is the most convenient option, since a visitor car park is available right by the site. Travelers relying on public transport can take a bus to Příbram and continue from there by local connection or taxi to Vysoká itself.

When is the best time to visit?

The château and museum operate on a seasonal schedule, mainly from spring through autumn, so it is worth checking current opening hours before planning a visit. The warmer months are the most rewarding time to come, when the park and its ponds — especially the one linked to Rusalka — are at their most attractive. Occasional classical music concerts are also held here in summer, drawing directly on Dvořák's legacy.

Frequently asked questions

Did Antonín Dvořák actually live in the château itself? No — he visited as a guest of his brother-in-law, Count Kounic. His own summer residence was the nearby granary he purchased in 1884 and had rebuilt for his family.

What can visitors see inside the château? A permanent exhibition on Dvořák's life and work, the château library, a concert hall, and the Václav Kounic Gallery in the cellar.

Is the park around the château worth visiting too? Absolutely — the park contains two small ponds, one of which is said to have inspired the composer's opera Rusalka.

What is the easiest way to reach Vysoká u Příbramě? Driving is the most convenient option, with parking available on site; alternatively, take a bus to Příbram and continue by local transport.