Humprecht

Humprecht is a Baroque-Mannerist hunting château overlooking the small town of Sobotka in the Jičín district, right in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj). Its most striking feature is a rare elliptical floor plan combined with an interior famed for extraordinary acoustics.

Who built Humprecht, and when?

The château was commissioned by Count Jan Humprecht Czernin of Chudenice, one of the wealthiest members of Bohemian nobility in the decades following the Battle of White Mountain. Construction ran from 1666 to 1668, designed by the Italian architect Carlo Lurago, who is said to have drawn inspiration from the Galata Tower in Constantinople. On-site building work was overseen by Francesco Ceresola, who later rebuilt the château and added an extra floor after a fire damaged it in 1678.

Why is the building shaped so unusually?

Rather than a conventional rectangular block, Humprecht was raised on an elliptical plan — an unusual choice for a residential building of that era in Central Europe. At its core sits a hall roughly sixteen meters tall, decorated with murals depicting the history of the Czernin family. That same hall became known for its remarkable acoustics, a quality that still makes the space suitable for chamber music performances today.

What happened to the château after the Czernins?

Once the Czernin line that held Humprecht died out, the estate was sold in 1738 to the Netolický family of Eisenberg. The following decades were not kind to the building, which gradually fell into disrepair as its role as a noble hunting residence faded. A turning point came with the 1926 land reform, when ownership passed to the town of Sobotka. The first major restoration followed in 1937–1939, and a further thorough renovation was carried out between 2021 and 2023.

What should visitors look out for?

Beyond the elliptical tower itself and the central hall with its Czernin-family murals, the château offers views over the surrounding countryside from its hilltop position above Sobotka. Humprecht is one of the recognizable landmarks of the Bohemian Paradise region, standing alongside other well-known sights such as Kost Castle and the Prachovské skály rock city.

How do you get to Humprecht?

The château sits right next to Sobotka, in the Jičín district in northeastern Bohemia, roughly a 90-minute drive from Prague. It is a popular stop on day trips that combine several Bohemian Paradise attractions in one outing. The best time to visit is spring through autumn, when the château keeps regular opening hours for individual visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Humprecht Castle? It was commissioned by Count Jan Humprecht Czernin of Chudenice, designed by the Italian architect Carlo Lurago, and built in 1666–1668 under the supervision of Francesco Ceresola.

What makes Humprecht different from other châteaux of its time? Its rare elliptical floor plan and a central hall famed for exceptional acoustics and murals depicting the Czernin family history set it apart from typical noble residences of the period.

Who owns the château today? The town of Sobotka has owned it since the 1926 land reform; before that, from 1738, it belonged to the Netolický family of Eisenberg.

Has the château been renovated? Yes — a first major restoration took place in 1937–1939, followed by a further thorough renovation between 2021 and 2023.