Myslibořice Castle

Myslibořice Castle is a Baroque chateau standing in the western part of the village of Myslibořice, in the Třebíč District of the Vysočina Region in Moravia, Czech Republic. The two-story, three-wing building topped with a mansard roof is unusual among Czech chateaus in that it has never lost its practical function — today it operates as a retirement home rather than as a museum piece.

What stood on the site before the chateau existed?

The site's history stretches back to the Middle Ages. A fortified tower may have stood here as early as the 12th century, with the first written record of a stronghold at Myslibořice dating to 1234 and a further mention in 1373. The tower would have served a defensive purpose typical of small Moravian strongholds of that era, long before the estate acquired anything resembling a residential chateau.

When did the tower become a Renaissance, and later a Baroque, chateau?

In 1531, the estate was purchased by Václav Chroustenský of Malovar, who had the old tower rebuilt into a Renaissance residence. A far more extensive transformation followed in the first quarter of the 18th century, when Ondřej Kryštof Ostašovský of Ostašov commissioned a Baroque reconstruction. The work was overseen by the Austrian architect Jakob Prandtauer, a name associated with Central European Baroque design — his involvement helps explain the building's monumental yet balanced proportions, which still define its appearance today.

Who owned the chateau, and what happened during the 19th century?

In 1760, Myslibořice was bought by Count Rudolf Chotek, the Supreme Chancellor of the Kingdom of Bohemia, one of the most senior figures in the Habsburg administration of the day. The chateau's most distinctly cultural period, however, came under the Sina family, who owned the estate from 1836 to 1921. It was the Sinas who filled the residence with collections of paintings, books, and musical instruments, giving the chateau a reputation well beyond its role as a country seat.

How did the chateau become a care home?

In 1921, ownership passed to the Czechoslovak state. Just seven years later, in 1928, the building was converted for use as a social welfare institution — a decision that permanently redirected the chateau away from its original role as an aristocratic residence. Since 1992, the property has been run by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, which operates a retirement home on the site. The chateau has been listed as a protected cultural monument since 1968, safeguarding it against uncontrolled alteration.

What should visitors know before planning a trip?

Because the chateau currently functions as an active care home, it is not a conventional tourist attraction with regular interior tours. Its appeal to travelers exploring the Třebíč district and the Vysočina Region lies mainly in its exterior architecture and its centuries-long history, which can be appreciated on a walk through the village. It makes a worthwhile stop on a route connecting other historic sites in the Třebíč district, particularly for anyone interested in Moravian Baroque residential architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Myslibořice Castle located? In the western part of the village of Myslibořice, in the Třebíč District of the Vysočina Region, Moravia, Czech Republic.

How old is the building? Its roots go back to a medieval tower first recorded in 1234, though its current Baroque form dates from the first quarter of the 18th century.

Who rebuilt the chateau in the Baroque style? The reconstruction was commissioned by Ondřej Kryštof Ostašovský of Ostašov and carried out under architect Jakob Prandtauer.

What is the chateau used for today? Since 1992 it has operated as a retirement home run by the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.

Is the chateau a protected monument? Yes, it has been listed as a protected cultural monument since 1968.