New castle in Dalovice

The New Castle in Dalovice is a historicizing, pseudo-Baroque residence built in 1874–1875 right next to the older, Renaissance-era castle in this small municipality in the Karlovy Vary Region. The building was commissioned by Baron Friedrich Riedl von Riedelstein, owner of the local estate, and it still stands out in the village skyline thanks to its distinctive architecture and the park that surrounds it.

How do you get there?

Dalovice sits right next to Karlovy Vary, so the easiest way to reach it is simply driving or taking a bus from that famous spa town — the trip takes only around fifteen minutes. The castle stands in the southwestern part of the municipality, surrounded by parkland, so once you reach the village center it's best to head on foot toward the greenery; the building is already visible from the park paths. For visitors exploring the Karlovy Vary Region, the New Castle makes a natural stop on a route linking the spa town center with nearby heritage sites.

What will you see?

The facade of the New Castle has eight window bays, with its central section marked by a three-bay projecting risalit topped with a triangular, Empire-style pediment. Cylindrical corner towers with conical roofs rise on either side of the main building, giving the residence its distinctive, fairy-tale silhouette that catches the eye from a distance. In the early 20th century the building underwent further Empire-style modifications, adding to its decorative character.

The castle is surrounded by an extensive park laid out in the English landscape style, with old oak trees that date back to the time the residence was built. This park, with its informal, naturalistic layout of paths and mature trees, is today the main draw for visitors — you can walk freely through it, rest in the shade of centuries-old oaks, and admire the castle's architecture from the outside.

It's worth knowing that the building itself is not currently open to visitors — after post-war nationalization it became the property of the Czechoslovak state, and from 1958 it housed a vocational school for postal service workers. Between 2008 and 2012 it underwent a complete reconstruction and modernization, and today it houses a secondary vocational school of logistics. So a visit here means admiring the facade and walking the grounds rather than touring the interior.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best times to see the park, when the old oaks and other trees look their most striking — fresh spring greenery and autumn foliage both make a fitting backdrop for the castle's historicizing architecture. In summer the park offers welcome shade and cool air, making it a good rest stop during a longer day of sightseeing around Karlovy Vary. Since the building functions as a school, there are no regular interior tours, so plan the visit as a walk through the grounds rather than a museum stop.

A brief history

The New Castle was built as a second, more representative residence for the Riedl von Riedelstein family, who had lived in the older Old Castle for only a few years (1872–1875) before moving into the newly completed building. The English-style park was laid out alongside the new residence to underline the family's prestige and to blend the architecture harmoniously into the landscape. After the Second World War the estate was nationalized, and the building took on an educational role — a function that, in changed form, continues today.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the New Castle? No — the building currently houses a secondary vocational school of logistics and is not open to tourists. You can, however, freely view the facade from outside and walk through the surrounding park.

How long does a visit take? Walking through the park and viewing the facade usually takes 30–45 minutes, depending on your pace and how long you want to rest under the old oak trees.

Is it worth combining with a visit to the Old Castle? Yes — the Old Castle is located in the same municipality, a short distance away, so both buildings can easily be seen during a single trip to Dalovice.

How far is it from Karlovy Vary? Dalovice borders Karlovy Vary directly, and the drive or bus ride typically takes about fifteen minutes, making the castle an easy half-day destination.