Galerie Klatovy

Galerie Klatovy / Klenová is one of the most distinctive modern art galleries in the Czech Republic, housed inside a medieval castle near Janovice nad Úhlavou, right on the edge of the Šumava mountains. It combines a historic building with a serious collection of 20th and 21st century Czech art, which makes it an unusual stop for anyone touring the region.

How did an art gallery end up in a castle?

The institution was founded in 1964, when painter Vladimír Levora initiated the creation of the Regional Gallery of Fine Art in Klatovy (Okresní galerie výtvarného umění v Klatovech). Klenová Castle, with its picturesque ruins and preserved residential wing, was chosen as the seat of the new gallery, and the setting quickly became part of its identity. Over the decades the institution expanded beyond the castle walls and today operates across several sites: Klenová Castle itself, the U Bílého jednorožce gallery in the town of Klatovy, the Church of St. Vavřinec also in Klatovy, and a restored barn that now serves as a modern exhibition hall.

What is there to see at the castle?

A visit naturally splits into several parts. The freely accessible castle ruins can be explored without a ticket and offer views over the surrounding Šumava foothills. The ground floor of the castle houses a permanent exhibition of 20th-century Czech art, with four representative rooms dedicated to post-war modernism, while the corridor displays landscape paintings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The upper floor of the castle, together with the adjoining barn, is reserved for temporary exhibitions that usually focus on contemporary and living artists. A particular highlight is the castle courtyard, which doubles as an open-air sculpture garden — modern sculptures set against the backdrop of old stone walls make for a striking contrast even for visitors who wouldn't normally seek out an art gallery.

How do you get there?

Klenová Castle sits right next to the village of Janovice nad Úhlavou, a few kilometres from the town of Klatovy in the Plzeň Region, at the northern edge of Šumava. It's an easy stop for anyone exploring south-western Bohemia by car — there is parking near the castle, and the drive from Klatovy takes only a short while. The surrounding countryside, dotted with forests and gentle hills typical of the Šumava foothills, also invites longer walks before or after the visit.

When is the best time to visit?

The castle's exhibitions run seasonally, generally from spring through autumn, when all sections — including the open-air spaces and the sculpture-filled courtyard — are accessible. That's the best window to pair a gallery visit with a walk around the ruins and the surrounding hills. Outside the main season some parts of the exhibition may be closed, so it's worth checking current opening hours before setting off.

Who is this destination for?

Galerie Klatovy / Klenová appeals mainly to visitors with an interest in modern and contemporary art, but it also works as an offbeat day-trip destination in the Šumava region simply because of the setting — medieval castle walls doubling as an art gallery is not something you see every day. It also makes a convenient stop on a route between Klatovy and the rest of the borderland region.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is Galerie Klatovy / Klenová? It's a cultural institution founded in 1964 that presents post-war and contemporary Czech art across several venues, with its main seat at Klenová Castle.

What can you see besides the art itself? The freely accessible castle ruins with views over Šumava, plus the courtyard turned open-air sculpture garden — both can be visited independently of the indoor exhibitions.

Do you need a ticket to see the whole castle? No — parts of the castle, such as the ruins and the courtyard, are open freely, while the indoor art exhibitions require an entrance ticket.

How far is Klenová Castle from Klatovy? The castle is located near Janovice nad Úhlavou, just a few kilometres from the centre of Klatovy, making it an easy half-day excursion.