Čestice Castle

Čestice Castle stands on the eastern side of the village green in Čestice, in the Strakonice District of South Bohemia, above the valley of the Peklov stream. Krušlov, the name attached to this listing in some databases, is simply a local part of the Čestice municipality — the two names describe the same spot, roughly 15 km southwest of Strakonice.

How did the castle come to be?

The early Baroque château was built opposite an older medieval fortress (tvrz) in the third quarter of the 17th century. Its early history was rough: the building burned down before 1690. The Říčan family financed the rebuilding, finishing before 1702, and it's their version of the château that largely survives today.

What happened to it afterward?

Following the Říčan era, the estate went through a rocky patch — at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries it changed hands eight times, and the property suffered for it. Things turned around in 1815, when Count Rey bought the estate. Within two years he had converted it into a year-round residence, laid out a park, planted trees, and commissioned a stone fountain in a late-Renaissance style. The château has been a protected heritage site since 1958.

What does the building look like?

Čestice Castle is a single-storey, two-wing structure built on an L-shaped plan, with a hexagonal tower at its left corner. It's a modest design compared with the grand seats of Bohemia's aristocracy, but it's a good example of how early Baroque manor houses looked in the Czech countryside — and it's easy to spot from the road running through the village.

Is there a park around the castle?

Yes. The park Count Rey laid out in the early 19th century still surrounds the building, and remnants of the older fortress that once stood on the site can still be found among the trees — a quiet spot for a walk after touring the interior.

What can visitors see inside?

The interior today houses a civil registry office and ceremonial hall, along with a library. A small museum rounds things out, built around a numismatic collection that traces different periods of the region's history. Alongside the coins, the exhibits include pieces from the château's original furnishings, hunting trophies, and old farm tools and household equipment — a picture of everyday rural life spanning several centuries.

Who is Čestice Castle for?

This is a destination for travellers who want a quieter, less-touristed side of South Bohemia — people drawn to regional history, Baroque architecture, or genealogy (since the working registry office keeps the building connected to local life), and anyone who has already seen the region's larger castles and wants something smaller and more local.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Čestice Castle located?

In the village of Čestice, Strakonice District, South Bohemian Region, about 15 km southwest of Strakonice, above the Peklov stream valley.

Are Krušlov and Čestice the same place?

Krušlov is a local part of the Čestice municipality, so the castle listed under "Krušlov" and Čestice Castle refer to the same building.

When was the castle built?

It was built in the third quarter of the 17th century on the site of an older fortress. After a fire before 1690, it was rebuilt by the Říčan family and completed by 1702.

What can you see inside?

A ceremonial hall, a library, and a small museum with a numismatic collection, hunting trophies, and old farm tools.

Is there a park at the castle?

Yes, a park laid out between 1815 and 1817 by Count Rey, which still contains traces of the earlier fortress on the site.