Castle Újezd nade Mží

Újezd nade Mží Castle is a small Classicist manor house with an adjoining farmstead, standing about 15 km west of Plzeň, right next to the Hracholusky reservoir. Behind its modest façade lies several centuries of history as the seat of minor nobility, and today the estate is open to visitors as a heritage farm with a small petting zoo.

How did the estate develop over the centuries?

The settlement, then known as Touškovský Újezd, is first recorded in a written document from 1115. By the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries a modest fortified manor house (tvrz) with a farm courtyard stood here — a typical residence of a lesser noble family. Ownership changed hands repeatedly over the following centuries, passing between minor nobles and burgher families.

In 1623 the estate was bought by Severin Táhlo of Horštejn. Decades later, in 1650, Jan Jindřich of Bedeberka, a former mayor of Plzeň, sold the property to Theofil Kleo of Roudná. Around this time, after the older Renaissance-era tvrz burned down, a Baroque manor house was built on its foundations — the fortress's cellars are the only part of the original structure to survive. Following another fire at the end of the 18th century, the building was substantially rebuilt, receiving its Classicist form in 1817. Its appearance was refined further in the second half of the 19th century, when a mansard roof and an Empire-style façade were added.

After 1949 the estate was nationalized, and from then until 1993 it operated as a state agricultural cooperative. Since 1993 the manor and farmstead have belonged to the Slepička family, who run an organic farm on the grounds.

What can visitors see today?

The complex comprises the manor house itself, an extensive farm courtyard, and a park, and the whole site is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The current owners have opened the grounds to the public and run an organic operation here, growing grain without chemical inputs and grazing cattle on the surrounding pastures.

The main draw for families is a small petting zoo called "Zvířata, která změnila svět" (Animals That Changed the World), home to Cameroon sheep and goats, cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits, geese, ducks, chickens, doves, parrots, peacocks, turkeys, guinea fowl, and ostriches. One of the estate's cottages houses an exhibition called "Jak se dříve žilo" (How People Used to Live), illustrating everyday rural life in past centuries. The farm also runs educational programs for schools and kindergartens.

When is the best time to visit?

The estate is open seasonally rather than year-round. In May, June, September, and October it opens on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 1 pm to 5 pm. In July and August the opening days extend to Wednesday through Sunday plus public holidays, still from 1 pm to 5 pm.

Frequently asked questions

How far is the castle from Plzeň? About 15 km, making it an easy day-trip destination from the city.

Can visitors tour the manor house interior? The site functions mainly as an open farmstead with a petting zoo and a rural-life exhibition rather than a traditional castle tour with staterooms.

Is it suitable for children? Yes — the petting zoo with domestic animals and the educational programs make it a family-friendly stop.

Who runs the estate today? Since 1993 it has been owned and managed by Jan and Jaroslava Slepička and their family, who focus on organic farming and tourism.

Is there anything else nearby worth seeing? Yes, the Hracholusky reservoir lies about 1 km away and is a popular destination in the Plzeň region.