Pivovarská hora

Pivovarská hora is a small hill in the Příbram District of central Czechia, right in the town of Vysoký Chlumec near Sedlčany. Its name translates literally to "Brewery Hill," and that's no coincidence — a brewery has stood at its foot for centuries, while an early Gothic castle crowns its summit as one of the landmarks of the Sedlčany region.

Why is it called "Brewery Hill"?

Vysoký Chlumec grew up around two anchor points: a castle on top of the hill and a brewery tucked into its base. It's the brewery that gave the hill its name. Brewing here is documented as far back as 1466, making it one of the earliest recorded brewing traditions in this part of Czechia. From 1474 the brewery belonged to the Roudnice branch of the Lobkowicz family, who ran it for centuries and rebuilt it in 1652 after the devastation of the Thirty Years' War.

What will you actually see there?

From the top of the hill you get the kind of view typical of the gently rolling Bohemian-Moravian Highlands — fields, forests, and the rooftops of Vysoký Chlumec gathered around the town's dominant feature, the castle. Vysoký Chlumec Castle, an early Gothic structure, is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Sedlčany region and shapes the skyline visible from a good distance around. At the foot of the hill, right beside the castle walls, the Lobkowicz brewery still operates today — one of the oldest in the Czech Republic, brewing beers such as Vévoda and Démon, and historically producing around 111,000 hectoliters a year. Together, the hill, the castle, and the brewery form a compact, walkable cluster that can be covered on foot in under an hour.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to go?

Vysoký Chlumec lies about 8 km southwest of Sedlčany, itself roughly an hour's drive from Prague, or reachable by local public transport from Sedlčany. Plan on half a day for the visit — a walk up the hill and around the castle, followed by a beer tasting straight from the brewhouse. Spring and summer are the most comfortable seasons thanks to longer daylight for exploring the surroundings, though both the castle and the brewery welcome visitors year-round. It's worth checking the brewery's opening hours in advance, since guided tours with tastings typically run on set schedules rather than continuously.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked hiking trail up Pivovarská hora? The hill is part of the built-up area of Vysoký Chlumec, so you reach it via the town's ordinary streets and lanes rather than a dedicated mountain trail — just a short uphill walk.

Should I combine the hill with the castle and the brewery? Absolutely. Both sit right next to the hill, and you can barely visit one without passing the other — together they tell the full story of the place.

Where does the name "Pivovarská hora" come from? It comes from the brewery that has operated at the hill's foot since the 15th century — the brewery, not the castle, is what gave the whole rise its name.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — the town of Vysoký Chlumec itself, with a small square and architecture typical of the Sedlčany region, and Sedlčany a short drive away with its own sights and visitor facilities.