Kestřany Castle

Kestřany is a small village in the Písek District of the South Bohemian Region, notable for holding a rare cluster of three fortified residences within a compact area: two Gothic fortresses (an upper and a lower one) and an early Baroque castle. The story of the site stretches back to the early fourteenth century and runs through several noble families — minor gentry first, then the Paar family, the Kocs of Dobrš, and finally the Schwarzenbergs.

When was Kestřany first mentioned in records?

The earliest written reference to Kestřany dates to 1315, when Albert of Kestřany, owner of the upper fortress, donated a meadow to a monastery in nearby Písek. The upper fortress is therefore the oldest documented structure on the site, originally built as the seat of a minor knightly family — well before the lower fortress or the castle existed.

What does the lower fortress look like?

The lower fortress was built as a water fortress, shielded by the marshy floodplain of the Otava River. Its most recognisable feature is a sturdy stone tower that still stands today and makes the building's original defensive purpose easy to read. Unlike the upper fortress, it stayed for a long time as part of a larger feudal estate rather than an independent seat.

Who built the castle, and why here?

The castle itself only appeared after the mid-seventeenth century, commissioned by Count Karel Paar. Paar acquired Kestřany through his marriage to Františka Polyxena of Švamberk and chose to build a new, representative residence facing the lower fortress. The result was a two-storey early Baroque castle that originally had an arcaded corridor along its eastern side, plus a vaulted ground-floor sala terrena decorated with stucco work. Paar also laid out an ornamental garden and a vineyard alongside the new building.

How did ownership change over the centuries?

The estate's later history is well documented. In 1678, Františka Polyxena Paarová sold the upper tower and the castle — together with four manorial farms and the villages of Kestřany, Sudoměř, Vítkov, Nepodřice, Zátaví and Lhota — to Elisabeth Susanna Vratislava of Geršdorf. In 1685, the knight Adam Humprecht Koc of Dobrš purchased the Kestřany estate along with the "old and new castle." Finally, in 1700, Prince Ferdinand Schwarzenberg bought the property from Koc and folded it into the large Protivín dominion. The estate stayed with Schwarzenberg descendants until the first Czechoslovak land reform.

What happened to the castle in the twentieth century?

In 1924, as part of that land reform, the Czechoslovak state took over the historic buildings in Kestřany. The castle lost its residential purpose and was put to practical use instead — as flats, a grain store and workshops. This kind of utilitarian repurposing, common to many state-administered manor houses of the era, left the building in gradually worsening condition. Since 2005 the castle has been back in private hands, though it remains significantly dilapidated and is still awaiting a full reconstruction.

Can you visit Kestřany today?

The three buildings are in very different states. The upper fortress has been revitalised and is open to visitors year-round — it is the only one of the three that can actually be toured on the inside at present. The lower fortress and the castle remain closed to the public while gradual restoration work continues under private ownership, so from the outside visitors mostly see the outline of a once-grand estate rather than a finished, walkable monument.

What else is worth knowing about the area?

Kestřany sits on the Otava, a river long associated with gold panning. That tradition is kept alive by an annual gold-panning competition held on the first Saturday of August, drawing enthusiasts from across the region. A golf course with a restaurant is also nearby, making Kestřany a convenient stop for anyone exploring the countryside around Písek.

Frequently asked questions

Is there just one castle in Kestřany, or several buildings? There are three: the lower and upper fortresses, both Gothic in origin, plus an early Baroque castle built later by the Paar family.

Who built the castle in Kestřany? Count Karel Paar built it after the mid-seventeenth century, having acquired the estate through his marriage to Františka Polyxena of Švamberk.

Can visitors go inside the castle? Not at present — the castle and the lower fortress are closed while restoration continues. Only the upper fortress is open to the public year-round.

Who owned the estate over the centuries? It passed through the Paar family, the Vratislavas of Geršdorf, the Kocs of Dobrš, and finally the Schwarzenbergs, who attached Kestřany to their Protivín estate.

What happened to the castle after 1924? The Czechoslovak state took it over during the land reform and used it for practical purposes — housing, grain storage and workshops. It has been privately owned again since 2005.