Hrádek Castle (Klatovy District)

Hrádek Castle stands in the municipality of Hrádek in the Klatovy District, which also administratively includes Tedražice — a small village right next to the castle hill, in the foothills of the Šumava mountains, roughly 5 km from Sušice.

How to get there?

The easiest approach is by car along the road connecting Sušice and Kolinec — Hrádek sits almost directly on this route, with Tedražice bordering the municipality to the south. From Sušice it's only a short drive, so many visitors combine a stop at the castle with exploring Sušice itself and the surrounding Šumava trails. Parking is right next to the castle park, which makes a quick, unplanned visit easy without committing to a full day trip.

What will you see?

The site's history goes back to the late 13th century — the first written record dates from 1298, a donation charter in which Přibyslav of Hrádek gave the surrounding forests and a fish pond to the brothers of the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Horažďovice. The oldest noble seat here was a Gothic fortified residence from the 14th century, held by Sezima and Protiva of Hrádek, and from 1371 it was attached to the Velhartice estate. In the 16th century it was rebuilt as a Renaissance residence, and its present, rather eclectic appearance is the result of later Baroque extensions and Classicist alterations carried out around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. Since 1964 the whole complex has been protected as a cultural monument.

It's worth knowing upfront that the castle has no classic, fully furnished noble chambers of the kind found in many Czech residences — after years of neglect, the building went through a thorough restoration and today operates differently from a typical castle-museum. The visit focuses on the story of rescuing the historic buildings and the fate of their successive owners, and the interiors and grounds on show demonstrate how historic architecture can be given a new, working life. Since 2016 the castle has housed the Hrádek Gallery "A Space for Play and Inspiration," which introduces children to the castle's 19th-century history in a playful, interactive way. Beyond that, the complex today combines a museum, a hotel, a restaurant, a wellness area, the Chapel of St. Walburga, an art gallery and an adventure golf course — a mix that draws both day-trippers and guests staying overnight on site.

The castle park, with the František Pravda educational nature trail, is freely accessible without a ticket — a good option for anyone who just wants to see the building and take a walk in the greenery without a full tour. Note that the castle building itself is not fully accessible for visitors with limited mobility.

When to visit?

The tourist season in the Šumava region runs mainly from spring to early autumn, when full opening hours and accompanying events are available. The park and its nature trail are especially attractive in spring and autumn, when the surrounding hills turn colorful, while summer adds the advantage of nearby hiking and cycling routes leading deeper into the Šumava mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hrádek a castle or a chateau? It began as a Gothic fortified stronghold, was later rebuilt as a Renaissance residence, and then further extended in Baroque and Classicist style — so the building combines features of a defensive castle and a residential chateau.

Will I see historic furnished rooms inside? Not in the classic sense — there are no reconstructed, furnished noble chambers. The tour instead focuses on the rescue of the historic buildings and how they're used today.

What else does the complex offer besides the castle itself? A museum, a hotel, a restaurant, a wellness area, a chapel, an art gallery, an adventure golf course, and an interactive children's gallery called "A Space for Play and Inspiration."

Is entry to the park free? Yes — the castle park with the František Pravda nature trail is open to everyone without a ticket.