Lesná Castle

Lesná Castle is a late-Baroque manor house in the village of Lesná in the Tachov District of western Bohemia, close to the German border. The rectangular, two-storey building with its tall mansard roof has anchored the small village for more than two centuries, though today it serves administrative and community purposes rather than tourism.

How the estate began

The settlement of Lesná is first recorded in 1348, when the king confirmed the sale of the village, along with its church, to the knight Arkleb of Tisová. At that time a fortified residential tower stood on the site of today's castle. Ownership changed repeatedly over the following centuries: the estate passed through families such as the Schönwalds and the von Hagennests, and in 1498 it came into the hands of Mikuláš Grys.

A lasting shift came after 1557, when the property was bought by Mikuláš of Schirnding, who founded the local branch of the Schirndinger family. That family would remain tied to Lesná for nearly four centuries. In 1609 the estate became hereditary property for Jošt Jindřich Schirndingerski, but in 1623, following his involvement in the Bohemian Estates Uprising, it was confiscated. It returned to the family in 1646, restored to Anna Salomea, widow of Jan Jáchym Schirndingerski.

Why it looks the way it does

The castle received its current late-Baroque form in 1787, under František Jáchym Schirdinger of Schirding — this rebuilding gave the structure the shape visitors see today. The façade is divided by pilasters, and two low corner wings resemble towers, though they never had a defensive purpose. A stone balcony on columns projects above the main entrance, and the windows are framed with chamfered stone surrounds. Inside, flat ceilings and parquet flooring survive on the upper floor. The layout suggests the Baroque remodeling reused an older structure's walls rather than starting from scratch. During the 19th century the castle housed an extensive collection of historic weapons.

What happened to it in the 20th century

The Schirndinger family and their heirs, the Dobřenský family, held the estate until 1945, when postwar property changes in Czechoslovakia brought nationalization. Earlier, in 1931, a fire seriously damaged the building; restoration was completed by around 1936. For much of the second half of the 20th century the castle served purposes typical of many state-seized manor houses: offices of the local national committee, a tavern, and rooms used for community events. Further interior modernization took place in 1973 and again between 1980 and 1985.

What you can see today

The castle has been protected as a cultural monument since 1992. It now houses the Lesná municipal office, a meeting hall used for local events, and a tavern. Access to the interior is occasional rather than scheduled, so anyone wanting to see inside should contact the municipal office in advance.

In the village itself, the Church of St. Nicholas is worth a look: renovated in 1774 by the Schirndinger family, it served as their burial chapel. Three protected linden trees, 200 to 250 years old, stand on the village green and near the church.

Who should visit

Lesná Castle suits travelers interested in western Bohemia's history and regional manor architecture rather than those seeking a fully developed tourist attraction. It fits naturally into a driving route through Tachov District for people who prefer lesser-known places still carrying visible traces of one family's centuries-long tenure.

Frequently asked questions

When was Lesná Castle built? A fortified residential tower already stood on the site in the 14th century, but the castle's current late-Baroque form dates from 1787.

Who owned the castle? From the mid-16th century until 1945, the estate belonged to the Schirndinger family and their heirs, the Dobřenský family.

Can you visit the castle? Interior access is occasional — the building now serves as the municipal office and a tavern, so visits are best arranged in advance with the Lesná municipal office.

What happened to the castle in 1931? A fire seriously damaged the building. It was restored over the following years, with the work completed by around 1936.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — the Church of St. Nicholas, which held the Schirndinger family's burial chapel, and three protected linden trees, 200 to 250 years old, growing on the village green and near the church.