Liběšice Castle

Liběšice Castle is a Baroque residence in the village of Liběšice, in the Litoměřice District of the Czech Republic — a municipality that also administratively includes the nearby village of Trnobrany.

What's the history behind the castle?

A Renaissance manor house first stood on this site from the mid-16th century, serving as the seat of successive noble estate owners. In 1623 the building passed into the hands of the Jesuit order and became their residence. The old structure gradually fell into disrepair and was demolished around 1746. Construction of the current Baroque residence had already begun in 1738, and the design is attributed to the circle of architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer. Work was interrupted in 1742 when the estate was devastated during the War of the Austrian Succession. Building resumed three years later, and interior work continued until 1754, by which time between eighteen and twenty Jesuits lived at the residence.

After the Jesuit order was suppressed in 1773, the property passed to the Study and Religious Fund. In 1838 the estate was bought by Prince Ferdinand Lobkowicz, who sold it in 1871 to Josef Schroll, a textile industrialist from Broumov. After 1945 the castle housed, in turn, Greek refugee children, then Korean children, followed by a retirement home, and from 1985 an institution for people with intellectual disabilities. In March 2022 the property changed hands again, passing to a new private owner.

How do you get there, and what else is worth seeing nearby?

Liběšice lies in the Litoměřice District of the Ústí nad Labem Region, not far from the town of Úštěk. Trnobrany itself is a small village of roughly 105 residents, located about one kilometer north of Liběšice — its first written record dates back to 1426. The area sits within the Český středohoří Protected Landscape Area, at the foot of Sedlo hill (726 m), making it a good base for hiking and cycling through the region's distinctive volcanic hills.

When should you visit?

Spring and summer are the best seasons to explore the Český středohoří landscape, when the trails around Sedlo and the surrounding hills are fully accessible and the views over the Elbe valley and nearby villages are at their most striking. Autumn offers a quieter alternative for those who prefer to avoid crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of Liběšice Castle? The property has had a new private owner since March 2022, so it's worth checking current visiting arrangements before planning a trip, as access may have changed following the change of ownership.

Who built the castle? The present Baroque building was constructed between 1738 and 1754 as a Jesuit residence, and its design is linked to the circle of architect Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer.

How is Trnobrany connected to Liběšice Castle? Trnobrany is a neighboring village that is administratively part of the Liběšice municipality, located about a kilometer to the north — a convenient base for exploring the area around the castle.

What else can you see in the surrounding area? The region lies within the Český středohoří Protected Landscape Area, known for its volcanic hills, including nearby Sedlo (726 m), a popular destination for hikers and cyclists.