Petrkov Castle

Petrkov Castle is a modest manor house in the village of Petrkov, part of the Lípa municipality in the Havlíčkův Brod district, in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It rarely appears on standard tourist itineraries, which is exactly why it has kept such an authentic, almost domestic character — rather than a grand palace, visitors find a compact, single-storey house with a remarkable literary history attached to it.

How do you get to Petrkov?

Petrkov sits in a quiet, rural corner of the Czech-Moravian Highlands, a short drive from the town of Havlíčkův Brod. Coming by car is by far the easiest option, with roads winding through the surrounding villages and farmland typical of the region. Travelers without a car should expect limited bus connections and are better off routing through Havlíčkův Brod first, then continuing locally by bus or taxi.

What will you see there?

The building's story stretches back to the 16th century — the first written mention of a fortified residence on the site dates to 1540. Its current appearance took shape in the 18th century: the first half of the century brought a reconstruction, and the second half saw the addition of the single-storey residential wing that still stands today.

What sets Petrkov apart from many similar Czech residences is how much of its original fabric survives. Visitors can see genuine period features — Baroque stone door and window surrounds, vaulted cellars, the original roof structure, and small but telling details like historic door hinges, box locks, handles, and key-plates. That level of preservation is unusual; many comparable buildings in the region were heavily modernized, erasing exactly these kinds of details.

Petrkov, however, owes most of its fame to its best-known resident: Bohuslav Reynek, a Czech poet and graphic artist who was born here and lived in the house together with his wife, the French poet Suzanne Renaud, and their two sons. Today the manor houses the Czech-French Cultural Centre Petrkov, run by the Memorial of National Literature (Památník národního písemnictví), which keeps the memory of this unusual family and its role in Czech-French literary ties alive for visitors.

The building is officially listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, underlining its historical and architectural value.

When should you visit?

The best time to come is between spring and autumn, when the cultural centre and the exhibitions dedicated to the Reynek family are typically open, and when the surrounding highland countryside looks its best. In winter, it's worth checking opening hours in advance, since smaller, locally run cultural venues in the Czech Republic often scale back access during the colder months.

Frequently asked questions

Is Petrkov an actual castle? Not in the classic sense — it's a modest, single-storey manor house that grew out of a 16th-century fortified residence, not a large defensive stronghold.

Who was Bohuslav Reynek? A Czech poet and graphic artist born in Petrkov, who lived there with his wife, French poet Suzanne Renaud, and their family — their story is now the centerpiece of the site's exhibitions.

What can visitors actually see inside? Well-preserved 18th-century features, including Baroque stone surrounds, vaulted cellar spaces, the original roof timberwork, and historic door hardware.

Is it worth combining with other sights in the area? Yes — its proximity to Havlíčkův Brod and the calm scenery of the Czech-Moravian Highlands make Petrkov a good stop on a longer trip through the region.