Prašný Újezd

Prašný Újezd is a small village that forms part of the municipality of Mlečice, in the Rokycany District of the Plzeň Region. It sits roughly 3 km west of Mlečice, right on road II/233 between Rakovník and Plzeň. The 2011 census counted only 41 permanent residents, making it one of the smallest settlements in the area. What draws the occasional visitor here is not the village itself but the abandoned, slightly mysterious castle standing at its edge.

Where does the name come from and what is the village's history?

The earliest mention of Prašný Újezd dates back to 1115, when it was supposedly handed over to the Benedictine monks of Kladruby Monastery. That claim, however, comes from the so-called Kladruby forgery, a document actually written in the early 13th century, so historians treat the date with caution. The village's name shifted over time: between 1869 and 1890 it was recorded as "Prašný Oujezd," and only from 1900 onward did the modern spelling "Prašný Újezd" become standard. Until the 18th century the village was split among larger estates, which makes it unlikely that an independent manor existed here earlier — some kind of fortified seat (a tvrz) probably appeared no sooner than the 16th century.

What remains of the castle today?

It was only between 1738 and 1741 that the previously divided parts of the village were merged into a single estate, run from a newly built castle by the counts of Štampach. Soon after, Prašný Újezd passed to Count Martin Alleman, who set up a chapel inside the castle — this is in fact the very first documented reference to the building's existence. According to local tradition, the Baroque castle was originally a single-story structure topped with a slender little tower. The building's present look dates from a Classicist renovation carried out in 1822. The castle stands at the entrance to the village on the right-hand side when arriving from Zvíkovec, tucked into the corner of a farm courtyard. The only vaulted room inside is the former chapel, covered by a barrel vault with lunettes. The protected heritage complex, listed as a cultural monument since 2005, also includes a perimeter wall with a gateway and a stable building.

Can the castle be visited?

No — the building is abandoned and steadily deteriorating, and it is not open to the public. It can still be seen from the outside while driving through the village or during a stop on a trip around the Radnice and Mlečice area.

Frequently asked questions

What is Prašný Újezd? It is a small village administratively belonging to the municipality of Mlečice in the Rokycany District, known mainly for its abandoned castle.

Where is Prašný Újezd located? In the Plzeň Region, about 3 km west of Mlečice, along road II/233 between Rakovník and Plzeň, roughly 8 km northeast of Radnice.

Is the castle in Prašný Újezd open to visitors? No, the building is unoccupied, in a deteriorating state, and its interior is not accessible to the public.

When was the castle built? The current structure was built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, and it received its present Classicist appearance during a renovation in 1822.

How many people live in Prašný Újezd? According to the 2011 census, only 41 people lived there permanently.