Klenová Castle near Klatovy

Klenová Castle is a large fortified complex in southwest Bohemia, a short distance from the town of Klatovy, combining medieval ruins with a 19th-century Neo-Gothic chateau. The whole site now belongs to Galerie Klatovy / Klenová and works as an open-air art gallery, where the building's own history sits alongside exhibitions of Czech contemporary art.

When was the castle founded, and by whom?

The original stronghold was built in the second half of the 13th century, and the earliest written record naming its owners dates back to 1291. Surviving from that era are the lower part of the palace's north wall and a square tower at the westernmost end of the complex. Through the 14th and 15th centuries, several generations of the lords of Klenová and Janovice held the estate; under Luxembourg rule, extensive building work is believed to have taken place in the northeastern section of the upper castle, above cellars that still survive today.

What's left as a ruin, and what's the chateau part?

The site splits clearly into two parts. The older, Gothic stronghold survives only as a roofless ruin, its walls and tower left exposed. Next to it, a Neo-Gothic chateau was added in the 19th century under the Stadion family and František Václav Veith, alongside a thorough, romantic-style rebuilding of the ruin itself. As a result, bare medieval walls and a 19th-century residence of an entirely different character now stand side by side on the same hilltop.

How did the castle become an art gallery?

After years of neglect, the combined castle and chateau complex was opened to the public in the 1960s. The gallery was founded as the District Gallery of Fine Arts based at Klenová Castle and opened its doors to visitors in 1964, with painter Vladimír Levora serving as its first director. Early exhibitions focused mainly on 19th-century Czech art, borrowed from the National Gallery and the West Bohemian Gallery in Plzeň. In 1973, the gallery lost its independent status and was absorbed into the District Museum of Klatovy.

What exhibitions is Klenová known for?

Among the gallery's most notable milestones are a 1979 exhibition dedicated to painter Maxmilián Pirner, and the opening of a permanent collection devoted to painter Vilma Vrbová-Kotrbová and her husband, restorer František Kotrba, housed in a villa below the castle. Between 1991 and 1994, the gallery ran a series of exhibitions called Grey Bricks, showcasing living artists, with each edition built around its own theme; the final one, focused on artists working in exile, is remembered as the most significant of the series.

What can visitors see at the castle today?

The ground floor of the chateau holds a permanent exhibition covering the castle's history, 20th-century Czech art, and the work of Vilma Vrbová-Kotrbová. The first floor and the former granary building host rotating exhibitions of 20th-century art. The courtyard and the grounds around the ruin serve as an open-air gallery of contemporary sculpture, so a visit combines a historic site with outdoor art in a single walk.

When can you visit?

The castle keeps seasonal hours. In April and October it's open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–12:00 and 12:30–16:00. In May, June and September, hours extend to 9:00–12:00 and 12:30–17:00, still Tuesday through Sunday. In July and August the castle opens daily, from 9:00–12:00 and 12:30–18:00.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Klenová Castle located? About 13 km from Klatovy, in the Pilsen Region of western Bohemia.

Is it a ruin, or can you go inside? Both exist side by side — the medieval section is a roofless ruin, while the 19th-century chateau stands intact and houses gallery interiors open to visitors.

Who manages Klenová Castle today? Galerie Klatovy / Klenová, a cultural institution based at the castle itself.

What kind of art is on display at Klenová? Mainly 20th- and 21st-century Czech art — painting, graphic art and photography indoors, plus open-air sculpture in the courtyard and around the ruin.

Since when has the castle worked as a gallery? The gallery has operated at the castle since 1964, though it briefly lost its organizational independence in 1973.