Černovice

Černovice is a small town in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic, situated between Tábor and Pelhřimov, best known locally for the château that has anchored its history for nearly four centuries.

When was the château built?

The building dates back to 1641, when Martin Jindřich Paradies de la Saga, then owner of the local estate, had it constructed on the site of a former brewery. Černovice became an independent estate in 1651, though the château itself is only explicitly documented in written sources from 1716 onward, which is why historians treat that year as the first firm reference point for the building's existence.

How did the château's appearance change over time?

Following the mid-18th century, the château underwent a late Baroque remodeling and expansion. A description from 1806 depicts a two-wing structure with arcades and a chapel, set within a manor garden enclosed by a wall with corner turrets. The building's present classicist look dates from an 1841 redesign, commissioned by Prince Heinrich Eduard of Schönburg-Hartenstein and carried out by architect Josef Schaffer — the version that has survived unchanged to the present day.

Can visitors go inside today?

The interior is closed to the public. For years the château has permanently housed a social care institution, the Diagnostic Institute of Social Care for Youth. Visitors are, however, free to walk through the surrounding, well-kept park, which borders a former hunting preserve covering roughly 48 hectares. The grounds, rather than the rooms, are what draw most people who come here — the extensive greenery and remnants of the historic garden layout still give a sense of the estate without needing access to the building itself.

What else is worth knowing about the area?

Černovice sits in a scenic stretch of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, along the route connecting Tábor and Pelhřimov, a region dotted with fishponds and quiet countryside typical of central Vysočina. Even with its interior off-limits, the château remains the town's visual landmark and a recognizable stop for anyone travelling through this part of the region. The building's own history — from brewery site, to Baroque residence, to a classicist palace now adapted for social care — reflects how often this kind of property has changed purpose across the Czech countryside.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Černovice château built? Construction began in 1641 on the site of a former brewery. Černovice became a separate estate in 1651, and the château itself is first clearly documented in 1716.

What architectural style does the château represent today? Its current classicist form comes from an 1841 redesign by architect Josef Schaffer, following an earlier late Baroque phase from the 18th century that was already described in 1806.

Is it possible to enter the château? No — the building currently serves as a social care institution for young people and its interior is not open to visitors.

What can visitors see around the château? The surrounding park and its adjoining former hunting preserve of about 48 hectares are open for walking year-round, even though the château's interior is not.