Chlum u Třeboně Castle

Chlum u Třeboně Castle is a Baroque manor house in the small village of Chlum u Třeboně in South Bohemia, best known for its later connection to Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este.

How did the castle take its current shape?

The village of Chlum is first recorded in 1399, when Jindřich of Rožmberk sold an abandoned manor there to the hospital in Třeboň. A fortress was established on the site at the start of the 16th century, and in 1710 the owner, Jan František, rebuilt it into a two-storey Baroque castle. A Marian chapel was added in 1746.

The next major overhaul came in the mid-19th century. In 1861 the Duke of Modena, Francis V, bought Chlum and had the by-then badly deteriorated building restored. In 1875 the north-eastern section, including a billiard pavilion, was demolished and replaced with a new wing, and further interior work continued between 1881 and 1884.

The castle reached its final, present-day form between 1902 and 1904, when its owner was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este. He had a second floor added and commissioned a redesign of the surrounding park, decorating it with 18th- and 19th-century sculptures he brought in specifically for the project.

What is there to see around the castle?

After the First World War the castle and its large estate passed to the Czechoslovak state and were used mainly as a summer residence. Today the property is privately owned, and since 2024 both the castle and its park have been closed to visitors — worth checking before you plan a trip, since the park with its exotic trees and historic sculptures was previously open even when the building itself was not.

Even without access to the grounds, the surroundings are worth a stop. A path lined with Stations of the Cross leads from the castle to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, built between 1737 and 1745 on the initiative of Count Jan František of Fünfkirchen, the owner of the Chlum estate at the time. The church makes a natural target for a short walk through the village and gives a glimpse of the heritage left by the family that built the castle.

How to get to Chlum u Třeboně?

Chlum u Třeboně sits in the South Bohemian region, on flat land dotted with fishponds, close to the Austrian border. From Prague you can reach it comfortably by bus or train, usually changing in Třeboň or Jindřichův Hradec. Třeboň itself, famous for its ponds and spa town status, is about 18 kilometres away and makes a natural base for exploring the area.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Two other significant regional castles lie within easy reach of Chlum: the castle in Třeboň and the castle in Jindřichův Hradec. Both pair well with a Chlum visit for a day of exploring South Bohemian residences, and the flat, pond-and-forest landscape connecting them is itself a draw for anyone who enjoys gentle walking or cycling.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chlum u Třeboně Castle open to visitors? No — it is privately owned and has been closed to the public since 2024; the park was previously accessible even when the building was not.

Who gave the castle its current appearance? Its final form dates from 1902–1904, under Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, who added a second floor and had the park redesigned.

How do I get to Chlum u Třeboně from Prague? The easiest way is by bus or train, typically changing in Třeboň or Jindřichův Hradec.

What can I see in Chlum if the castle itself is closed? Walk the Stations of the Cross path to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1737–1745), then continue on to Třeboň or Jindřichův Hradec for more sights.