Podolí Castle

Podolí Castle stands right in the centre of the village of Podolí, in the Brno-venkov district, a short drive east of Brno in the South Moravia region.

How did the castle come to be?

A modest summer residence once stood on this spot, used by canons of the Petrov Chapter (the chapter of the Cathedral of St Peter and Paul in Brno) as a retreat outside the city. By the late 18th century the building had fallen into disrepair, so between 1792 and 1795 it was thoroughly rebuilt into the structure seen today. Some historians believe an older fortified farmstead may have occupied the site even earlier. The Petrov Chapter held the estate until 1947, when it passed into state hands.

What can you see today?

The castle is a single-storey building laid out like an inverted letter L, built into a slope with its main facade facing the village. A corner tower, once reinforced with buttressing pillars, had to be pulled down in 1869 because of unstable ground beneath it. Its clock was not lost, however: in 1887 it was mounted on the raised bell tower of the parish church in nearby Šlapanice, where it still keeps time today. Following the clock's journey gives visitors a reason to combine a stop in Podolí with a short walk through Šlapanice.

Inside, one wing now houses the Rudolf Březa Gallery, dedicated to a legionnaire born in the village. The collection brings together sculptural works on the theme of the Czechoslovak Legions, drawn from the artist's estate.

What is the building used for now?

Unlike a typical castle-museum, Podolí Castle is a working public building. It houses the village council offices and the local post office, alongside the gallery space. That mix shapes how a visit works: the gallery can be seen during its opening hours, while the rest of the building is best appreciated from the outside, taking in its plain but distinctive architecture.

How do you get to Podolí?

Podolí sits directly on the road connecting Brno with Slavkov u Brna, the town associated with the Battle of Austerlitz, which makes it an easy stop on a day trip through the region. The drive from Brno takes roughly twenty minutes, and bus connections also run through the village. The castle stands in the middle of Podolí, so it is hard to miss as you pass through.

When is the best time to visit?

Because the building serves administrative functions, visiting on a weekday during council and gallery opening hours gives the best chance to step inside and see the Rudolf Březa collection. The exterior and the village setting are worth seeing at any time of year, and the surrounding area - within reach of the Austerlitz battlefield and the trails of South Moravia - rewards a longer stop in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Podolí Castle? Partly. The building serves as council offices and a post office, but visitors can freely enter the Rudolf Březa Gallery, which occupies part of the castle.

Who owned the castle? Until 1947 it belonged to the Petrov Chapter, the canons of Brno's Cathedral of St Peter and Paul. It has been state property since then.

What happened to the castle's tower? The corner tower was demolished in 1869 due to unstable foundations. Its clock was installed on the church tower in Šlapanice in 1887.

How far is it from Brno? About twenty minutes by car; the village lies on the road between Brno and Slavkov u Brna.