Castle Kynžvart

Castle Kynžvart is a neoclassical residence standing just outside the spa town of Lázně Kynžvart, in the Cheb District of western Czech Republic. Its present form is the work of Chancellor Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, who turned the estate into his summer residence and a meeting point for Europe's political elite. After years of closure and a thorough renovation, the castle reopened to visitors in 2000 and can now be seen on a guided tour.

How did the Metternich family end up at Kynžvart?

The original Baroque building went up between 1681 and 1691, commissioned by Filip Emerich von Metternich. In the early 19th century the estate passed to his descendant, Chancellor Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, one of the most influential statesmen of the Napoleonic and post-Napoleonic era. He remodeled the residence in the Viennese Classicist style and used it as a summer retreat, hosting guests such as Tsar Alexander I, Emperor Ferdinand V, Tsar Nicholas I, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

What is there to see inside the castle?

A guided walk through 25 historic rooms

The standard guided tour covers 25 rooms furnished in a style reflecting the Metternich era. It's a solid starting point for visitors who want an overview of the residence and the family's history without prior research.

A library holding more than 24,000 volumes

One of Kynžvart's biggest draws is its castle library, spread across three halls and holding more than 24,000 volumes — one of the largest such collections in the Czech Republic. The books span numerous languages, from Latin and French through Italian and Czech all the way to Tamil.

The Cabinet of Curiosities

A separate highlight is the Cabinet of Curiosities, a collection of nearly two thousand objects, many without equivalents even in other European museums. Exhibits include two Egyptian mummies, a comb belonging to Maria Theresa, a prayer book of Marie Antoinette, a powder case owned by a mistress of Louis XV, locks of hair from Beethoven, Cherubini, and Spontini, and the desk at which Alexandre Dumas used to write. The cabinet is considered one of the oldest publicly accessible museums in Europe.

The park surrounding the castle

The residence is set in an extensive English-style park, dotted with small garden structures among mature trees — a pleasant spot for a walk before or after touring the interiors.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Castle Kynžvart located? The castle stands near the spa town of Lázně Kynžvart, in the Cheb District of western Czech Republic, close to the border with Germany.

Since when has the castle been open to visitors? After a long, thorough renovation, the castle opened to the public in 2000.

How many rooms does the tour cover? The standard guided tour takes visitors through 25 rooms of the castle.

What is Kynžvart's biggest attraction? Alongside the state rooms, visitors most often single out the castle library (over 24,000 volumes) and the Cabinet of Curiosities, with unique items including Egyptian mummies and mementos of well-known historical figures.

Which family is the castle's history tied to? The Metternich family, and above all Chancellor Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, who rebuilt the residence and turned it into a gathering place for 19th-century Europe's political elite.