Chyše Castle

Chyše Chateau stands in the village of Chyše in the Karlovy Vary Region, roughly 35 kilometres southeast of Karlovy Vary, its present neo-Gothic look the result of centuries of rebuilding on top of a much older fortified seat.

How old is the settlement behind the chateau?

The village itself is first recorded between 1169 and 1192, and from 1254 the local seat belonged to the Odolenovici family. Between 1361 and 1365, Chyše and the neighbouring Rabštejn estate were held directly by the Bohemian crown under Charles IV. The fortified building itself is first mentioned in writing only in 1473, when King Vladislaus II Jagiellon released it from feudal tenure to Burian II of Gutštejn.

When did the fortress turn into a proper chateau?

The turning point came in 1578, when owner Mikuláš of Lobkowicz had the older stronghold rebuilt as a Renaissance residence, geared more toward representation than defence. A further Baroque remodelling followed between 1695 and 1708 under Karel Jiří Michna of Vacínov. The building's current, distinctly neo-Gothic silhouette dates from a thorough reconstruction carried out between 1856 and 1858, commissioned by Prokop III Lažanský.

What ties Karel Čapek to Chyše?

In 1917, fresh out of university, the writer Karel Čapek took his very first paid job at Chyše, working as a private tutor to thirteen-year-old Prokop IV Lažanský, a descendant of the family that owned the chateau. He stayed from May to September that year. The place left a mark on his later writing: motifs tied to Chyše surface in the novel Krakatit, the play The Makropulos Affair (Věc Makropulos), and the short-story collection Tales from One Pocket (Povídky z jedné kapsy). Since 1999, the chateau has hosted a permanent exhibition on Čapek's stay and his connection to the West Bohemian region.

What happened to the chateau in the 20th century?

The estate was nationalised after 1946 and fell into gradual disrepair over the following decades. A later restoration brought the building back to a condition fit for visitors, and it is now listed as a protected cultural monument.

What is there to see on a visit?

Two tour routes are on offer: one through the chateau's principal interiors, the other built around the Čapek exhibition and the West Bohemian theme. Highlights include a hall with a painting by Petr Brandl and the chateau library; a guided tour runs about 50 minutes. Right next to the chateau sits its own brewery, restored and reopened to the public in 2006, when unpasteurised beer production resumed there after a 74-year gap. With advance booking, visitors can tour the brewery, taste beer straight from the ageing tanks, and see the ten-hectolitre brewing equipment in action.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Chyše Chateau located? In the village of Chyše, in the Karlovy Vary Region, about 35 km southeast of the city of Karlovy Vary.

When did the chateau get its current appearance? Its present neo-Gothic form dates from a reconstruction carried out in 1856–1858, commissioned by Prokop III Lažanský.

What is the connection to Karel Čapek? In 1917 the writer worked here as private tutor to thirteen-year-old Prokop IV Lažanský — his first job after finishing university — and the experience later inspired works such as Krakatit and The Makropulos Affair.

Is there a working brewery at the chateau? Yes, the chateau brewery resumed production of unpasteurised beer in 2006 and offers bookable tours with tastings.