Pluhův Žďár Chateau

Pluhův Žďár Chateau is a modest, low-key country residence in South Bohemia, tucked into the village landscape of the Jižná municipality, just a short drive from Jindřichův Hradec and the famous red water castle of Červená Lhota. Unlike the region's big tourist draws, this small manor spent decades almost forgotten — today it is slowly reopening as a venue for weddings, family gatherings and community events.

Where does the name come from?

The village and the chateau take their name from the estate's first recorded owner, Oldřich Pluh, a member of the retinue of Oldřich of Hradec, documented as early as 1267. His family name, "Pluh," survives in the place name to this day. The family kept close ties to the lords of Hradec — in 1329, a descendant named Ctibor served as castellan at Jindřichův Hradec castle.

How did ownership change through the Middle Ages?

The Pluh family held the fortress until the 15th century. After that, ownership shifted hands repeatedly: in 1437 the estate passed to Albrecht Růt of Dírné, and in 1457 the brothers Prokop and Jan of Vojslavice received it as a grant from King Ladislaus the Posthumous. Over the following decades the property changed hands among several minor noble families — Míla of Broumovice bought it in 1549, and eight years later it passed to Dorota Ostrovcová, who merged it with the neighboring Proseč estate.

When did the fortress become a Baroque chateau?

The turning point came during the Thirty Years' War. In 1635 the estate was acquired by Jan Ekersdorf of Hlaváč, who began converting the old defensive fortress into a residence with Baroque features. In 1664 the building underwent a thorough reconstruction built on the older fortification walls, and ownership passed to Count Humprecht Jan Černín of Chudenice. Further changes of hands followed — in 1684 Tomáš Černín sold the estate to Václav Vojtěch of Eckersdorf, and by the late 1680s and early 1690s it belonged to Marie Markéta Kolovratová, née Slavatová. In 1793 the chateau was bought by Prince Václav Paar. From this era, a valuable Baroque fresco of the Holy Trinity, painted by František Resch in 1718, has survived intact.

What happened in the 20th century?

In 1928 the chateau was purchased by Bedřich Beneš, brother of Edvard Beneš, who would later become President of Czechoslovakia. After 1948 the communist regime confiscated the property from the family, and the building was subsequently used for ordinary residential purposes, with little maintenance or investment. Restitution in 1992 finally returned the chateau to the Beneš descendants. Its current owner is Radim Beneš, a great-great-nephew of the president's brother, who served four terms as mayor of the local municipality before stepping down at the end of 2015 to focus on restoring the family estate.

What can visitors see today?

The chateau is a single-story, four-wing building arranged around a courtyard, with mid-wall projecting bays (risalits), a paved courtyard and a landscaped garden. The former farm outbuildings are gradually being converted: the old cowshed now serves as a guesthouse, while the former feed-preparation building has become a large dining hall used for events. A children's theatre operates on the grounds, and the estate regularly hosts weddings, family celebrations, community gatherings and summer camps for children with disabilities. The site remains accessible to local residents even as its restoration continues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Pluhův Žďár Chateau located? In South Bohemia, in the Jižná municipality, roughly 16 km from Jindřichův Hradec and close to Červená Lhota Castle.

Who owns the chateau today? Since its restitution in 1992 the estate has belonged to the Beneš family; it is currently managed by Radim Beneš, a descendant of Bedřich Beneš, brother of President Edvard Beneš.

Can the chateau be visited? The property functions primarily as a venue for weddings, family events and community gatherings, and the grounds remain accessible to local residents while restoration work continues.

What is the most notable feature inside? A well-preserved 1718 Baroque fresco of the Holy Trinity by František Resch, along with the converted farm buildings now serving as a guesthouse and event hall.