Příchovice Castle

Příchovice Castle is a Baroque residence standing in the southern part of the village of Příchovice, in the Plzeň-jih district of western Czech Republic. Built over the remains of a medieval stronghold, the estate passed through the hands of a Silesian nobleman, a count's family, and the Czechoslovak army before returning to private ownership.

What stood on this site before the castle?

Before the current residence was built, the site held a wooden-and-stone stronghold dating back to the 14th century. It served a defensive role typical of the smaller noble seats scattered across this part of Bohemia. Over time the fortification lost its military purpose and fell into disrepair, clearing the way for a complete rebuild centuries later.

Who decided to build the castle?

The turning point came in 1716, when Jindřich Antonín Henigar of Seeberk bought the Příchovice estate along with the surrounding villages. He chose Příchovice as his main seat and commissioned a new, representative residence on the site of the old stronghold.

Who designed the building, and in what style?

Construction ran from 1718 to 1719, based on a design by Jakub Auguston the Younger, a respected builder working out of Plzeň. The castle was conceived as a maison de plaisance — a compact, elegant pleasure residence rather than a defensive stronghold. That intent sets Příchovice apart from many neighboring, more fortress-like manors in the region.

How did ownership change over the centuries?

In 1784 the estate was bought by Hugo, Count of Schönborn, bringing the residence into the orbit of an influential aristocratic family. A far more abrupt change followed after the Second World War: in 1949 the castle passed to the Czechoslovak army, which held the property until 1993. Decades of military use pushed the building away from any representative or touristic role.

Who owns the castle today?

After 1993, Příchovice returned to private hands. The building is listed in the Central Register of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic, which grants it formal heritage protection. Day to day it remains a private residence, though it is not entirely closed off from visitors.

When can visitors see the interior?

The castle opens to the public only occasionally, mainly around concerts held as part of the Haydn Music Festival. These events give visitors their best realistic chance to step inside and see the residence's interior, rather than viewing it only from the outside.

Where exactly is Příchovice located?

The village lies in the southern part of the Plzeň-jih district, within the Plzeň Region of western Bohemia. Nearby, on the other side of the same micro-region, sit other small noble residences — a sign of how densely this part of the country was once dotted with landed estates.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Příchovice Castle located? In the southern part of the village of Příchovice, in the Plzeň-jih district, within the Plzeň Region of western Czech Republic.

When was the current castle building constructed? Between 1718 and 1719, commissioned by Jindřich Antonín Henigar of Seeberk and designed by Plzeň builder Jakub Auguston the Younger.

What stood on the site before the castle? A 14th-century stronghold, later replaced by the Baroque residence in the 18th century.

Who owned the castle in the 18th and 19th centuries? From 1784 the estate belonged to the Schönborn counts' family.

Can the castle be visited today? It is privately owned but occasionally opens to the public, mainly during concerts of the Haydn Music Festival.