Nový Hrad in Jimlín

Nový Hrad is a Renaissance-and-Baroque castle rising on a hill above the villages of Jimlín and Zeměchy, a few kilometers from the town of Louny, in a landscape that stretches between the Džbán hills and the Central Bohemian Highlands. The complex combines the remains of a Gothic stronghold with a Baroque noble residence and is open to visitors today.

What stood on this hill before the castle?

The hilltop above Jimlín and Zeměchy was already built up in the 14th century, when a fortified manor belonging to the lords of Jimlín stood here. Its residential tower survived the later rebuilding and was absorbed into the much larger structure that replaced it.

When was the present castle built, and by whom?

The castle known today as Nový Hrad was built between 1465 and 1474 by Albrecht Bezdružický of Kolowrat. The new residence grew up around the older tower, and the family that built it later took the name Novohradský of Kolowrat after the castle itself.

How did the ownership change over the centuries?

The Novohradský of Kolowrat family held the estate until 1573, when it was bought by Jan of Lobkovice. The property later passed to Václav Franěk of Liběchov, under whom the castle underwent a Baroque remodeling. In 1767 the estate was purchased by Prince Josef Schwarzenberg, and it stayed in his family's hands until 1924.

What does the castle's architecture look like?

The core of the building follows a three-wing, U-shaped plan. The north wing is Renaissance, while the east and south wings go back to the original late-Gothic construction, later reworked in Baroque style around 1680. An early Baroque chapel dedicated to St. Joseph adjoins the south wing. Inside, the castle preserves one of the region's richest sets of painted, coffered ceilings from the Renaissance and Mannerist periods, decorating ten rooms — the largest of them covering close to 250 square meters.

What can visitors see on a tour?

The castle offers several tour routes, each with a different focus. One leads through the remains of the Gothic stronghold, including a black kitchen and underground stables; another runs through the Baroque section of the residence, past the painted ceilings of the east wing. The castle tower gives a view over Louny, the Central Bohemian Highlands, and the Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) massif. Through the year the grounds also host seasonal exhibitions and cultural events, and larger groups are advised to book a tour slot in advance.

Where exactly is the castle located?

Nový Hrad stands on a hill between the villages of Jimlín and Zeměchy, in the Louny district of the northwestern Czech Republic, near the border between the Central Bohemian and Ústí regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Nový Hrad located? On a hill above the villages of Jimlín and Zeměchy, a few kilometers from the town of Louny, in the northwestern Czech Republic.

Who built Nový Hrad? It was built between 1465 and 1474 by Albrecht Bezdružický of Kolowrat, incorporating the tower of an older 14th-century stronghold that belonged to the lords of Jimlín.

Can the castle be visited? Yes, guided routes cover both the Gothic and Baroque parts of the building, including the black kitchen, underground stables, and rooms with painted ceilings.

What is the main highlight of the interior? A collection of painted, coffered ceilings from the Renaissance and Mannerist periods, decorating ten rooms of the castle.

Who was the last noble family to own the castle? The Schwarzenberg family, who bought the estate in 1767 and kept it until 1924.