Old Castle

Old Castle (Starý zámek) in Votice is a former 15th-century stronghold later rebuilt into a Renaissance residence — today one of the oldest surviving landmarks of this small town in the Benešov district of Central Bohemia.

How do you get there?

Votice sits in Central Bohemia, in the Benešov district, connected to the rest of the region by main roads running toward Tábor and Prague. Old Castle stands right in the town centre, so once you reach Votice it is just a short walk from the main square. The building is easy to spot thanks to its vaulted gateway and Renaissance gables.

What will you see on site?

Today's Old Castle complex consists of two buildings: a former brewery and a long, single-storey residential wing. They are linked by a vaulted gateway that opens onto an inner courtyard — the same passage once used to enter the residence. The site's biggest architectural draw is its preserved 16th-century Renaissance gables, which survived the fires that repeatedly hit the town over the centuries. They give the building a distinctive character rarely found among the younger Baroque or Neoclassical manors nearby. It is worth taking a closer look at the stonework around the gate and comparing the proportions of the two wings — both still hint at the site's original defensive purpose, before it became a noble residence.

A bit of history

The first written record of a fortified seat in Votice dates to 1542, though historians agree the structure already stood in the 15th century, ringed by ramparts and a deep moat for defence. The turning point came in 1653, when Count Ferdinand František of Vrtby converted the old stronghold into a proper manor residence. Contemporary inventories describe an impressive interior: 25 large and small rooms, some vaulted, 13 chambers, a great hall, two heated parlours, two cellars, two pantries, a shed, and stables large enough for 30 horses. The courtyard held a well and a brewery.

The residence's fortunes changed with a fire in 1746 that badly damaged it — it was never fully restored. The noble seat then moved to a newly built castle elsewhere in Votice, and the old building was demoted to a working, utilitarian role: it housed estate officials and kept operating as a brewery. That humbler, functional chapter is, somewhat paradoxically, the reason the building survives today closer to its historic form than many grander residences in the region.

When should you visit?

The best time to explore Votice's town centre and admire Old Castle is from late spring through early autumn, when longer days make wandering the streets and squares more enjoyable. Pair the visit with a look at the New Castle, the building that took over as the family's main seat — together the two sites trace how the town's residential architecture evolved over the centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Old Castle in Votice? The building now serves purposes other than tourism, so the best plan is to view the facades, the gateway, and the courtyard from outside while strolling through the town centre.

What's the difference between Old Castle and New Castle in Votice? Old Castle is the original medieval seat, converted into a residence in the 17th century, which lost its status as the main family residence after the 1746 fire in favour of the newly built castle.

How old is the building? The first written mention dates from 1542, but a fortified structure already stood on the site in the 15th century.

What else is worth seeing near Old Castle? Besides New Castle, it's worth walking through the historic centre of Votice, which still preserves the clear layout of a small Central Bohemian town.