Neznašov Castle

Neznašov Castle is a former Renaissance fortress reshaped into an Empire-style manor house, standing above the point where the Lužnice river meets the Vltava, in the Všemyslice municipality of the České Budějovice district in South Bohemia. Closed to visitors today, the building carries a history stretching back to the mid-1500s, one marked by war, confiscation, and eventual decline.

Where is the castle located?

Neznašov sits about 3 km west of Týn nad Vltavou, on rising ground overlooking the confluence of the Lužnice and Vltava rivers. The site's coordinates are 49.2316417 N, 14.3784865 E. That river-bend position on a headland explains why the original structure here was built as a defensible stronghold rather than a purely residential house.

Who built the original fortress?

The fortress at Neznašov was raised in the mid-16th century by Jiří Kořenský z Terešova. His family held the estate across several generations, and its fortunes became entangled with one of the most turbulent chapters of Czech history: the revolt of the Bohemian Estates.

What happened during the Bohemian Revolt?

Zdeněk, a descendant of the fortress's founder, joined the uprising of the Bohemian Estates against the Habsburgs (1618–1620) and died during the conflict. His son Bohuslav paid the price for his father's rebellion: the family estate was confiscated by the crown. The confiscated property was then bought by Sezima z Vrtby, and the fortress and manor later passed to his son, Václav František.

How did the fortress become a castle?

The estate changed hands again when a later owner, Karl Bedřich Schütze, ran into heavy debt. The property was sold at auction and acquired by Count Prosper Berchtold z Uherčic. Around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, he had the Renaissance fortress rebuilt into an Empire-style castle. The renovation also added a chapel dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk — a saint widely venerated in Czech lands as a protector of bridges and waterways, a fitting choice given the castle's riverside setting.

What condition is the castle in today?

The castle and its grounds are registered as a cultural monument in Neznašov, South Bohemian Region. The building itself, however, is not open to the public: it stands abandoned and has been gradually deteriorating, a fate shared by many smaller Czech noble residences that lost owners and upkeep over the 20th century.

Is the surrounding area worth a visit?

Even though the castle building itself can't be entered, the area around Neznašov remains appealing thanks to its setting at the meeting point of the Lužnice and Vltava rivers and its proximity to Týn nad Vltavou, a small town with its own historic sights and visitor amenities. It makes for a pleasant riverside walk or cycling route, with the silhouette of the abandoned manor visible from a distance.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Neznašov Castle? No — the building is currently closed to the public and stands abandoned.

Who built the original structure at Neznašov? Jiří Kořenský z Terešova built the fortress in the mid-16th century.

Who converted the fortress into a castle? Count Prosper Berchtold z Uherčic, who rebuilt it in Empire style around 1800.

Where exactly is the castle located? Above the confluence of the Lužnice and Vltava rivers, in the Všemyslice municipality, about 3 km from Týn nad Vltavou, South Bohemia.

Does the castle have a chapel? Yes, a chapel dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk was added during the Empire-style rebuilding.