Lovecký zámek Ohrada

Ohrada Hunting Chateau is a Baroque hunting lodge on the shore of the Munický pond, about two kilometers from Hluboká nad Vltavou in the South Bohemian Region. Built for the Schwarzenberg family, it today houses one of the oldest museums in the Czech Republic and is protected as a national cultural monument.

Who built Ohrada, and why?

Construction ran from 1708 to 1713, commissioned by Prince Adam František von Schwarzenberg (1680–1732). The design came from Prague architect Pavel Ignác Bayer, who was working at the same time on the renovation of the nearby Hluboká chateau. Ohrada was conceived as a base for parforce hunts and hunting festivities close to the family's main seat — hence its site between the Munický and Zvolenovský ponds, right next to what is now Hluboká Zoo.

How did a hunting lodge become a museum?

In the 19th century the Schwarzenbergs decided to open their accumulated hunting and natural-history collections to the public. The museum had its formal opening on 15 October 1842, making it the second-oldest museum in Bohemia, after the National Museum in Prague, and the fourth-oldest in the whole of the Czech Republic — a milestone that still sets Ohrada apart among Czech museums.

What can visitors see inside today?

The chateau now belongs to the National Agricultural Museum and houses the Museum of Forestry, Hunting and Fishing. Its holdings are organized into four sub-collections: forestry, hunting, fishing, and zoology. Exhibitions cover the history of the region's forests ("Forest of Springs — Stories of Forests"), hunting traditions, the fish-pond farming typical of the Třeboň and Hluboká area, and falconry. A separate highlight is the antler collection assembled by the Sallač family, one of the country's more notable trophy collections.

Why pair a visit with the surrounding area?

Because Hluboká chateau and its zoo sit just minutes away, Ohrada fits naturally into a day trip around the region. A walk along the Munický pond, a typical example of South Bohemia's fish-pond landscape, makes a fitting complement to touring the Baroque interiors and museum displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ohrada differ from Hluboká chateau? Ohrada is a smaller Baroque hunting lodge commissioned by the same patron who renovated Hluboká chateau, but built for a different purpose — hunting from the outset, and museum use from the 19th century onward, while Hluboká remained the family's grand residential seat.

How old is the museum at Ohrada? It has operated since 1842, making it the second-oldest museum in Bohemia and the fourth-oldest in the Czech Republic.

What does the museum's collection include? Four sub-collections — forestry, hunting, fishing, and zoology — including the Sallač family's antler collection and a display on falconry.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes, Hluboká Zoo sits right next door, and Hluboká nad Vltavou chateau itself is just a few kilometers away.