Letohrad Castle

Letohrad Castle stands right in the heart of the small town of Letohrad, in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic, not far from the Polish border. Modest in scale compared with the country's grand aristocratic residences, it hides handsome Baroque stuccowork inside — and, unusually, is still very much in daily use as a school, hotel, and library.

History of the castle

The first structure on this site dates back to 1554, when Zdeněk Žampach of Potštejn had a simple wooden manor built here, with no real fortifications to speak of. The real transformation came more than a century later, once the estate passed to Count Hynek Jetřich Vitanovský of Vlčkovice. Between 1680 and 1685 he rebuilt the modest Renaissance manor into the imposing Baroque residence that largely survives today.

The Vitanovský of Vlčkovice family shaped much of the town's early development: they added a chapel next to the castle that later grew into the Church of St Wenceslaus, granted local craftsmen the right to form guilds, and founded a hospital. Thanks to their patronage, the 17th century became a genuine boom period for the whole area.

Inside the oldest wing, the ceilings on the ground and first floors are decorated with rich stucco work created by the Italian master Giovanni Madera, one of the many Italian artists brought to Bohemia at the time to decorate aristocratic residences.

Over the following centuries ownership passed through several noble families, including the Harrachs and the Kolovrats, before the estate ended up with the Counts of Stubenberg (Stubenberg-Nimptsch), who held it until 1945. After the Second World War the castle became state property.

What can you see there?

This is not a museum in the classic sense — the building is very much alive, housing a private grammar school, a hotel with a restaurant, the town library, and a basic art school. Even so, a permanent castle exhibition is open to visitors, letting them see historic interiors, including Madera's stuccoed ceilings. A thorough reconstruction between 1983 and 1996 restored much of the Baroque character of the building while adapting it to serve the town's present-day needs.

While in Letohrad, it's worth pairing a castle visit with a walk to the nearby Church of St Wenceslaus and a stroll through the historic town centre, which has kept the relaxed, well-kept feel of a provincial Czech town.

How to get there?

Letohrad lies in the Pardubice Region, in the Ústí nad Orlicí district, close to the Polish border. The town has both rail and bus connections to larger regional hubs such as Ústí nad Orlicí and Žamberk, from where a car or local public transport is the most convenient way to continue the journey. The castle itself sits right in the town centre, so it's usually just a short walk from the train station.

When to visit?

Spring, summer, and early autumn are the best times to come, when the permanent exhibition and nearby cafés and restaurants keep the fullest opening hours. It's worth checking current visiting hours in advance, since parts of the building serve the school and the hotel, which affects access to certain wings at different times.

Frequently asked questions

Can Letohrad Castle be visited? Yes, a permanent exhibition showcases the historic interiors, including Giovanni Madera's stucco ceilings. Keep in mind that part of the building is occupied by a school and a hotel, so visits are limited to designated areas.

What architectural style is the castle? Its current appearance is mainly Baroque, the result of a rebuild carried out between 1680 and 1685 on the site of an earlier Renaissance manor from 1554.

Who built the castle in its present form? The Baroque rebuilding was commissioned by Count Hynek Jetřich Vitanovský of Vlčkovice, who owned the Letohrad estate in the second half of the 17th century.

What else is housed inside the castle today? Alongside the historical exhibition, the building is home to a private grammar school, a hotel with a restaurant, the town library, and a basic art school — making it a rare example of a heritage site that combines a tourist attraction with everyday town life.