Neustupov Castle

Neustupov Castle stands on the site of a medieval stronghold in the village of Neustupov, in the Benešov District of Central Bohemia. Closed to visitors for most of its existence, the estate underwent a five-year restoration and only opened its doors to the public for the first time in 2025.

Where did the estate begin?

Settlement at Neustupov goes back to the Romanesque era, with written records confirming a church on the site as early as the 12th century. By the 14th century at the latest, the village had become the seat of the Neustupovský family, minor Czech nobility who built a Gothic fortified manor here, later remembered locally as the "Old Castle." The estate passed from Jan Neustupovský ze Slavkova to his son Kuneš, and then, through Kuneš's wife Alžběta z Malovic, to their daughter Eva. Eva married into the Kaplíř ze Sulevic family, and it is her name that is tied to the next big change on the site.

Why did a Renaissance castle replace the old fortress?

Eva Kaplířová is credited with commissioning the new castle that replaced the aging Gothic manor. The result was a two-storey building on a rectangular footprint, decorated with sgraffito plasterwork — this became today's east wing. A perpendicular west wing followed later, likely added in the early 17th century. The great hall inside the castle is its oldest surviving interior, a remnant of the original fortified building that once stood on the same ground.

What happened to the Kaplíř family?

Kašpar Kaplíř ze Sulevic, Eva's husband, met a grim end in Czech history: after the Battle of White Mountain, he was among the 27 Czech noblemen and burghers publicly executed on Prague's Old Town Square in 1621, and the Habsburg crown confiscated his estates, Neustupov included.

Who owned the castle in later centuries?

Ownership changed hands several times after the confiscation. Imperial general Balthasar Marradas held it for a period, followed by the Dohalský family, who kept the estate through much of the 17th and 18th centuries. Around the turn of the 19th century the property passed to the Rommbaldt family, who held it until 1887. From 1892 to 1948 it belonged to Count Vladimír of Aichelburg, who carried out renovations. At its height in the 19th century, the estate included four farmsteads, two sheepfolds and several fishponds, and its wider domain supported well over a thousand residents.

What has happened to the castle since the mid-20th century?

The communist takeover after 1948 brought nationalization, and the property left family hands for decades. Following the fall of communism in 1989, Neustupov was restituted to the Aichelburg family, who later sold it on. Since 2020 the castle has belonged to Michal Farník, under whose ownership a five-year restoration programme was carried out.

Can visitors tour the castle today?

Yes. After five years of repair work, Neustupov Castle opened its interiors to the public on Sunday, 27 April 2025 — the first time in its history it had been accessible to visitors. The current owner also hosts cultural events on the grounds.

Where exactly is Neustupov Castle located?

The castle sits in the village of Neustupov, in the Benešov District of the Central Bohemian Region, near geographic coordinates 49.616, 14.697.

Frequently asked questions

Is Neustupov Castle open to the public? Yes, since April 2025, following the completion of a five-year restoration.

Who built the current, Renaissance-style castle? The rebuild is attributed to Eva, daughter of Kuneš Neustupovský and wife of Kašpar Kaplíř ze Sulevic.

What happened to the Kaplíř family? Kašpar Kaplíř ze Sulevic was executed in Prague in 1621 after the Battle of White Mountain, and his estates were confiscated.

Which part of the castle is oldest? The great hall, which survives from the original Gothic fortified manor.

Who owns the castle now? Michal Farník has owned it since 2020 and funded its restoration.