Koleč Castle

Koleč Castle is a small Baroque chateau in the village of Koleč, in the Kladno district of Central Bohemia, roughly 11 km northeast of Kladno. It is a modest building compared with the Czech Republic's grand aristocratic seats, but it carries more than three centuries of history and now doubles as a local attraction with a beekeeping museum on site.

Who built the chateau at Koleč?

The present building went up between 1711 and 1713, replacing an earlier 16th-century stronghold that had stood on the same spot. The project was commissioned by the Ubellius family, who had settled in Bohemia after coming from Siegburg in Germany and who owned the local estate. It was this family that chose to replace the older fortified structure with a new Baroque residence.

Where does the chapel fit in?

A Chapel of the Holy Trinity was added to the building, consecrated in 1715 by Bishop Daniel Josef Mayer von Mayern. Over time the chapel outgrew its role as a private family space: between 1898 and 1899 it was enlarged into a full church, serving the spiritual needs of the whole village of Koleč rather than just the castle's owners.

What does the building look like?

The chateau is a two-story rectangular structure with a shorter attached wing. Its main façade is marked by rectangular windows and a central projecting bay topped with a triangular gable, a typical Baroque compositional touch. The eastern wing houses the chapel mentioned above, which today functions as a church.

What happened to the estate after the Ubellius family?

The Koleč branch of the Ubellius family died out in 1799, and the estate passed to the related Bohuš family of Otěšice. The castle stayed in private hands for decades afterward, before harder times caught up with it.

Why did the castle fall into disrepair?

During the 1990s the building deteriorated significantly, a fate shared by many smaller Bohemian manor houses following decades of postwar changes in ownership. Today it is listed as a protected cultural monument and is being restored step by step, with a dedicated foundation overseeing the reconstruction work.

What can visitors see there today?

Since 2016 the castle has housed a museum of beekeeping, documenting the history and traditions of beekeeping and honey production in the region. The pairing of Baroque architecture with a beekeeping theme makes Koleč an unusual stop for anyone interested in both historic buildings and rural crafts.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Koleč Castle located? In the village of Koleč, Kladno district, Central Bohemia, about 11 km northeast of Kladno.

When was the castle built? Between 1711 and 1713, on the site of an earlier 16th-century stronghold.

Who commissioned the current building? The Ubellius family from Siegburg, owners of the local estate.

What is in the eastern wing of the castle? The Chapel of the Holy Trinity, enlarged into a parish church between 1898 and 1899.

Can the castle be visited? Yes — it has housed a beekeeping museum since 2016, and the building itself is being gradually restored.

Who owned the castle after the Ubellius line died out? From 1799, the related Bohuš family of Otěšice.