The Annaburg Hunting Lodge

The Annaburg hunting lodge stands on a small island in a fishpond, tucked inside a forest near the village of Horšov, part of the town of Horšovský Týn in the Domažlice district. This modest Baroque pavilion is one of the lesser-known but genuinely rewarding sights of the Pilsen Region — its story ties together an aristocratic game park, a name given in honor of a countess, and a modern-day restoration carried out largely by local students.

Where exactly does the lodge stand?

Annaburg sits within the Horšov game park, a sprawling, irregularly shaped forest area stretching between the villages of Horšov, Nová Ves and Polžice, west of Horšovský Týn. The park itself dates back to the early 17th century, when Vilém the Elder Popel of Lobkowicz laid it out together with a network of nine fishponds. A stone wall still runs around much of the area today, a reminder of its original purpose as an aristocratic hunting ground.

Why does the pavilion carry a woman's name?

The name Annaburg honors Marie Anna of Herberstein, the second wife of Franz Norbert of Trauttmansdorff. The Trauttmansdorff family took over Horšovský Týn and its surrounding estate, and it was this family that commissioned the building that still bears a name tied to her.

When and how was it built?

The Trauttmansdorffs had the lodge built only after 1744 — more than a century after the game park itself was founded. They chose an island on one of the ponds as its site: a spot offering views over the surrounding woods and a quiet retreat after a hunt. Architecturally, it is a hexagonal pavilion topped with a square turret and covered by a double roof, with a single room inside. The building reads more like a garden gazebo than a proper château — it served as a gathering point for hunting parties and a place to rest, not as a residence.

What happened to it over the following centuries?

During the 19th century, the pavilion's surroundings were laid out with elaborate flower beds, suggesting it also played a representative role for the aristocratic household. Through the 20th century, however, the building fell into disrepair, and part of its roof collapsed in the 1990s. Its fortunes only turned around at the start of the new millennium.

How was it restored?

The restoration took two years, running from 2007 to 2009. Construction students from the technical secondary school in Horšovský Týn, on whose grounds the pavilion stands, took part in the building work, while the Pilsen Region covered part of the cost with a grant of one million Czech crowns. As a result, the pavilion now looks much closer to its original Baroque form.

Can visitors go inside?

Annaburg has no regular opening hours, since it stands on school property rather than being run as a standalone tourist attraction. It does, however, occasionally host cultural events and weddings, and the building is also used for lessons by students of the school mentioned above. Anyone hoping to see it should watch for announced events, or simply enjoy the view across the pond while walking through the Horšov game park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Annaburg hunting lodge located? On an island in a fishpond within the Horšov game park, near the village of Horšov, part of the town of Horšovský Týn in the Domažlice district.

Who is the pavilion named after? Marie Anna of Herberstein, second wife of Franz Norbert of Trauttmansdorff, whose family commissioned the building.

When was it built? After 1744, more than a hundred years after the Horšov game park itself was established in the early 17th century.

What does the building look like? A hexagonal Baroque pavilion with a square turret, a double roof, and a single central room inside.

Is the lodge open to visitors? Not on a regular basis — it stands on the grounds of a secondary school and can mainly be seen during occasional cultural events or weddings.