About this place
Komorní Hrádek is a Renaissance castle perched on a wooded hill above the left bank of the Sázava River, near the village of Chocerady in the Benešov district of central Bohemia, a few kilometres from the hamlet of Vlkovec. Tucked away in forest and away from the busiest tourist routes, it is a site where medieval origins and a Renaissance rebuild have left their mark side by side.
How did the castle's history begin?
The original stronghold on this site was founded by the Benešovic family towards the end of the 13th or the start of the 14th century. By 1318 the estate belonged to Ondřej z Hrádku. It later passed to Jan and Čejchan z Hrádku, who held it from 1356 onward; during their time the seat was known as Čajchanův Hrádek, named after one of the brothers.
Where does the name Komorní Hrádek come from?
The name still used today dates back to after 1525, when the estate was acquired by Jaroslav ze Šternberka, who held the office of Supreme Chamberlain (nejvyšší komorník) of the Kingdom of Bohemia. It is this office — komorník, chamberlain — that gave the castle its name, Komorní Hrádek. The Šternberk family was one of the oldest and most influential noble houses in Bohemia, and naming the estate after their office reflected its rising status in the region.
How did a medieval stronghold become a Renaissance château?
In 1554 Komorní Hrádek passed into the hands of the Valdštejn (Wallenstein) family. It was under their ownership, still in the 16th century, that the original fortified seat was rebuilt into a Renaissance residence, giving it a more representative character suited to residential and administrative use rather than defence. The Valdštejns kept the estate until 1733, making them the longest-serving owners in the castle's recorded history.
What is the castle used for today?
The entire castle complex has been carefully restored and is now used by the Czech Ministry of Defence, which operates a military training centre there. This means Komorní Hrádek is not a conventional museum-style castle with daily visiting hours — it functions as an institutional site, which is worth knowing before planning a trip to the area.
Where exactly is the castle, and how do you find it?
Komorní Hrádek stands high above the Sázava valley, surrounded by forest, close to Chocerady in the Benešov region of central Bohemia. The nearest reference point is Vlkovec, roughly 2 kilometres away. Its scenic riverside setting, off the main tourist trails, makes the surrounding area more of a destination for walks and cycling trips than for large-scale castle tourism.
Frequently asked questions
Can Komorní Hrádek be visited? The castle is used by the Ministry of Defence as a military training centre, so it does not operate as a standard tourist attraction with regular opening hours for visitors.
Where does the castle's name come from? From the title "nejvyšší komorník" (Supreme Chamberlain) of the Kingdom of Bohemia, held after 1525 by its then owner, Jaroslav ze Šternberka.
Which family owned the castle the longest? The Valdštejn family, who held Komorní Hrádek from 1554 to 1733; it was during their ownership that the medieval stronghold was rebuilt into a Renaissance château.
How far is the castle from Vlkovec? About 2 kilometres, set in forest above the left bank of the Sázava River near Chocerady.
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