Nový zámek Město Albrechtice

Nový zámek in Město Albrechtice is an Empire-style manor house from the first half of the 19th century, set within a romantic English-style park on the western edge of this small town in the Bruntál district, Moravian-Silesian Region.

How did Nový zámek come to be?

The story begins in 1825, when two iron merchants from Opava, Vincent Keil and Vincent Tlach, bought the Albrechtice estate from Karel Traugott Skrbenský z Hříště. Rather than pour money into restoring the existing medieval castle, they chose to build an entirely new residence and rent out the old one instead. The new building was completed in 1837 and quickly became known as "Nový zámek" (New Castle), while the older residence was from then on referred to as "Starý zámek" (Old Castle).

Neither founder lived to enjoy the new estate for long: Vincent Tlach died the same year construction finished, and Vincent Keil followed a year later, in 1838. The two families jointly managed the property until 1847, when it was finally divided, and two further buildings went up near the castle, including a villa known today as Villa Hirsch.

What is there to see?

The castle itself is a good example of Empire-style architecture — restrained, classically proportioned, without heavy ornamentation. Today it functions as an apartment building with multiple private owners, and as a protected cultural monument it is still awaiting comprehensive restoration and a new purpose. Because of that, the interior is not open to visitors.

Far more accessible is the park surrounding the castle, laid out at the same time as the residence itself. It's an English-style romantic park, complete with a former orangery, open meadows, clusters of mature trees and small garden structures — a pleasant place for a quiet walk, appreciated by nature lovers and anyone curious about historic garden design.

About half a kilometer east of the castle, on the slope of the Dubí hill, stands a family tomb built by the Keil and Tlach families around the same time as the manor and its grounds.

How do you get to Nový zámek?

Nový zámek sits on the western edge of Město Albrechtice, close to the town center, making it an easy stop on a short walk around town. Město Albrechtice itself lies in the Bruntál district near the Polish border and is also known as the starting point of the historic Osoblažská narrow-gauge railway (Osoblažská úzkokolejka) — a good reason to pair a visit to the castle park with a ride on that heritage line or a walk in the nearby Zlatohorská vrchovina hills.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is at its best from spring through autumn, when the greenery and mature trees are in full display and a stroll along its paths is most enjoyable. Since the castle building itself remains closed to the public, a visit makes the most sense as part of a broader exploration of the town and region rather than as a standalone destination.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Nový zámek? No — the building is currently private property (a residential building with multiple owners) and is not open to visitors.

What's the difference between the New Castle and the Old Castle in Město Albrechtice? The Old Castle (Starý zámek) is the original, older residence built by the Skrbenský family. The New Castle was built in 1837 by the estate's new owners, merchants Keil and Tlach, as an entirely separate building rather than a renovation of the old one.

What can you see without entering the building? The English-style park surrounding the castle, including the site of a former orangery, plus the family tomb on the nearby Dubí hill, about half a kilometer away.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — Město Albrechtice is the starting point of the Osoblažská narrow-gauge railway, and the surrounding area borders the Zlatohorská vrchovina hills, a good spot for hiking.