Nelahozeves Chateau

Nelahozeves Chateau is a Renaissance residence overlooking the Vltava River, roughly 35 kilometres north of Prague, owned today by the Lobkowicz family.

Who built Nelahozeves Chateau?

Construction began in 1553 at the initiative of Florian Griespek of Griesbach (1504–1588), a Tyrolean aristocrat who served as secretary and adviser to Emperor Ferdinand I. The project brought together royal master builder Bonifaz Wohlmut and Italian craftsmen who had previously worked on Prague Castle. Building continued for more than sixty years, finishing in 1614.

What architectural style does the chateau represent?

The building was laid out as a two-storey structure with four wings and four corner pavilions shaped like trapezoidal bastions. It is a textbook example of the "castello fortezza" type - a residence with a fortress-like silhouette but without a real moat guarding the entrance. The facades, especially on the north wing, are covered in sgraffito decoration depicting scenes from ancient mythology and the Old Testament, drawing on prints by Virgilius Solis and Albrecht Dürer. Among the interiors, the Arcade Hall and the Knight's Hall stand out.

How did the chateau come into Lobkowicz hands?

In 1623, Princess Polyxena Lobkowicz, née Pernstein (1566–1642), purchased the estate from the granddaughter of its original owner, Florian Griespek. The property has remained in Lobkowicz ownership ever since.

What is on display in the chateau's collections?

The exhibition shows part of the Lobkowicz Collections: volumes from the family library, Old Master paintings including works by Pieter Brueghel, Peter Paul Rubens, Paolo Veronese, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Giovanni Paolo Panini, alongside period furniture, hunting trophies and an extensive collection of arms.

Why is Nelahozeves linked to Antonín Dvořák?

Right beside the chateau stands the Baroque house where composer Antonín Dvořák was born. The building carries the status of a national cultural monument, and since 2019 its management has passed to the Lobkowicz family.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Nelahozeves Chateau located? On the Vltava River, about 35 kilometres north of Prague.

How long did construction take? Over sixty years - work started in 1553 and was completed in 1614.

Who owns the chateau today? The Lobkowicz family, who have held the property since 1623.

Is there anything related to Antonín Dvořák nearby? Yes - the house where the composer was born stands right next to the chateau and has been managed by the Lobkowicz family since 2019.

What collections can visitors see inside? The family library, Old Master paintings, period furniture, hunting trophies and an arms collection, all part of the Lobkowicz Collections.