Mcely Castle

Chateau Mcely is a Baroque residence in the Central Bohemian Region, in the Nymburk district, which after decades of postwar neglect was fully restored and now operates as a five-star hotel and spa set in surrounding forest.

How far back does the site's history go?

The settlement of Mcely itself is first recorded in 1252, long before any manor stood there. From the second half of the 14th century the village belonged to church property, and in 1471 King Jiří of Poděbrady pawned it to Jan Křinecký of Ronov. The Křinecký family held Mcely until 1622, when the estate was confiscated after their involvement in the Bohemian Estates' revolt against Emperor Ferdinand II.

Who built the chateau, and in what style?

The estate later passed to Oktavián Ladislav of Valdštejn, who in 1698 commissioned a Baroque hunting lodge on a hill known as Vinice. That original, fairly modest building formed the core of the residence that stands today.

How did the building change during the 19th century?

Later owners reshaped the property more than once. In 1840 the low original structure was rebuilt, and in 1863 two three-story side wings were added — only then did the residence take on the scale and layout close to what visitors see now.

What was life like under the Thurn-Taxis princes?

In 1869 the estate was bought by a prince of the Thurn-Taxis family, who administratively linked Mcely with the nearby town of Dobrovice. For the next eight decades the chateau served as a stage for lavish hunts, balls and parties — actresses and ballerinas were entertained there, racehorses and hunting dogs were kept on the grounds, and guests reportedly included Mark Twain and Rainer Maria Rilke. From 1939 the house was rented by the Italian prince Luigi della Torre e Tasso; his son, Prince Alexander, was born at Mcely.

What happened to the chateau after the war?

Following the end of World War II and the communist takeover, the princely family was forced to leave Czechoslovakia and the estate was confiscated. For several decades afterward the building deteriorated; at one point it even served as a civil defense storage facility, and its condition grew bad enough that demolition was considered.

How did a ruin become a luxury hotel?

The turning point came in 2001, when the derelict chateau was bought by Inez Šipulová. She subsequently met the American entrepreneur and former rock musician Jim A. Cusumano, whom she married in 2003. Together the couple financed and carried out a comprehensive restoration, bringing back both the building and the parkland surrounding it. The restored chateau reopened in 2006 as the five-star Chateau Mcely hotel.

Where is the chateau located, and what does it offer today?

Mcely lies in the Nymburk district of the Central Bohemian Region, roughly an hour's drive from Prague. Today the property functions as a boutique hotel with a spa, a restaurant and extensive forest grounds around the main building, drawing guests looking for a quiet retreat close to the capital rather than a conventional sightseeing stop.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Chateau Mcely located? In the Nymburk district of the Central Bohemian Region, about an hour's drive from Prague.

When was the chateau built? The original Baroque hunting lodge was built in 1698 for Oktavián Ladislav of Valdštejn, and it was substantially enlarged in the 19th century, most notably in 1863.

Who owned the chateau during the 19th and early 20th centuries? From 1869 it belonged to princes of the Thurn-Taxis family, who used it for hunts and parties until 1948.

What happened to the chateau after World War II? It was confiscated from the princely family and left to decay for decades, at one point serving as a civil defense storage facility.

What is Chateau Mcely today? Since 2006 it has operated as the five-star Chateau Mcely hotel and spa, reopened after a restoration led by Inez and Jim Cusumano.