Dřevíč Castle

Dřevíč is a small Baroque hunting lodge tucked away in the forests of the Křivoklátsko region, within the cadastral area of the village of Sýkořice in the Rakovník district. It is privately owned and closed to visitors, but its history makes it a worthwhile point of reference for anyone exploring the woods around Křivoklát and Nižbor.

Where does the name come from and how was it built?

The site's story goes back to the 16th century. In 1572, Archduke Ferdinand, then owner of the Křivoklát estate, had a hunting lodge built here - Křivoklátsko had long served as a hunting ground for Bohemian rulers and noble families. The building that stands today, however, dates from a later period: in the early 18th century, Prince Josef Vilém Fürstenberg (1699-1762), another owner of the Křivoklát estate, commissioned a single-storey Baroque lodge with a mansard roof, known as Grund. The Fürstenberg family coat of arms still marks the entrance. In the 19th century an extra floor was added, giving the building the form it retains today.

What else stands on the grounds?

Next to the main building are several outbuildings and a neo-Baroque chapel dedicated to St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters - a fitting choice for a hunting estate. The chapel was built in 1899 to a design by architect A. Pia, with sculptures by E. Pendl; its decoration includes terracotta reliefs of St. Hubert and statues of St. Maximilian and St. Joseph. It was restored between 2006 and 2007. The whole property is surrounded by a landscaped park that also contains a so-called Bavarian pavilion.

Who has owned Dřevíč over the years?

The Fürstenberg family managed the estate until 1929, when it was taken over by the Czechoslovak state. After the Second World War the building housed a forestry administration office, and later served as a recreational and training centre for employees of a Prague-based agricultural purchasing company. Following the 1989 revolution, the lodge briefly belonged to the municipality of Sýkořice before being bought in 1991 by Karel Schwarzenberg, a descendant of one of Bohemia's oldest aristocratic families, who still owns and manages it today.

Where exactly is Dřevíč, and can you visit?

The lodge stands in the forests of Křivoklátsko, roughly 3 km northwest of Nižbor, within the cadastral territory of Sýkořice in the Rakovník district of Central Bohemia. It remains private property and is not open to the public - there is no exhibition or guided tour on site. What does reward a visit is the surrounding forest itself: the area lies at the heart of the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area, close to trails leading to Křivoklát Castle and the village of Nižbor, making it a popular destination for day hikes and cycling trips.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Dřevíč lodge? No. It is private property belonging to the Schwarzenberg family and is not open to visitors - you can only pass near it while walking through the surrounding forest.

When was the current building constructed? The Baroque lodge was built in the early 18th century by Prince Josef Vilém Fürstenberg, on the site of a hunting lodge dating from 1572. A floor was added in the 19th century.

Who owns Dřevíč today? Since 1991 it has belonged to Karel Schwarzenberg; before that, the Fürstenberg family held it for more than two centuries.

Where exactly is Dřevíč located? In the forests of Křivoklátsko, about 3 km from Nižbor, within the village of Sýkořice in the Rakovník district of Central Bohemia.