Jaroslavice Castle

Jaroslavice Castle (Zámek Jaroslavice) is a Renaissance-Baroque chateau in the town of Jaroslavice in the Znojmo District of the South Moravian Region, right on the border with Austria. Today it stands in a state of near-ruin and is listed in the Czech "Red Book" of the country's most endangered monuments, though its sweeping arcaded courtyard still hints at why it once ranked among the finest Renaissance buildings in Moravia.

What is the history behind Jaroslavice Castle?

A wooden stronghold, later a stone fortress, once stood on the site — first recorded in 1249 as the seat of Bočka of Obřany, burgrave of Znojmo. Ownership later passed to the lords of Lipé. The turning point came in 1567, when Count Scipio of Archo rebuilt the site into a spacious four-wing Renaissance castle. In the 17th century its interiors and facades were reworked in Baroque style under Italian architect Domenico Martinelli, and between 1730 and 1736 the castle underwent a second Baroque remodeling designed by Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach.

Who owned the castle over the centuries?

The Althann family held the estate until 1790. In 1835, Count Wilhelm Hompesch-Bollheim purchased the property. The last private owner before the Second World War was Count August von Spee, who took over in 1919.

Why did the castle fall into ruin?

The estate was nationalized after 1945. Once the barbed-wire-guarded state border went up after 1948, the area around Jaroslavice fell within the border zone, and the army moved into the castle. Between 1949 and 1951 the building housed a women's forced-labor camp; after it closed, the military continued using the site, and that long stretch of hard institutional use is largely to blame for the building's current derelict state. In 1990, ownership passed to the municipality of Jaroslavice, but drawn-out restitution disputes have blocked restoration efforts ever since, and the decaying chateau is now listed in the Czech Republic's "Red Book" of most endangered heritage sites.

What can visitors see today?

The castle's standout feature is its large, restrained Renaissance arcaded courtyard — one of the reasons it is still regarded as one of the most valuable Renaissance monuments in the Czech Republic, despite the ongoing decay. A visit here feels more like exploring a ruin than touring a furnished historic residence, so it's worth checking locally for current access, since the building's poor structural condition and any safety work underway may limit which parts of the grounds are open.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Jaroslavice Castle located? In the town of Jaroslavice, Znojmo District, South Moravian Region, close to the Austrian border.

Why is the castle in such poor condition? After nationalization in 1945, the building spent decades under military use and, between 1949 and 1951, held a women's forced-labor camp — that intensive, neglectful use during the communist era left it in ruins, a decline later compounded by restitution disputes.

Who gave the castle its current form? Count Scipio of Archo gave it its Renaissance shape in 1567, and architects Domenico Martinelli and Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach carried out its Baroque remodeling in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Can the castle be visited? It belongs to the municipality of Jaroslavice, but access can be limited due to its poor structural condition — check current information locally before planning a visit.

What is the castle's main highlight? Its expansive Renaissance arcaded courtyard, considered one of the finest of its kind in the Czech Republic.