Radim

Radim is a small village in the Kolín District of Central Bohemia, Czech Republic, best known for its Renaissance château, which is the main reason travelers stop here. Home to just over a thousand residents, the village sits in a quiet farming region roughly midway between Prague and Kolín.

Where is Radim and how do you get there?

Radim lies about 13 km west of Kolín and around 34 km east of Prague, making it an easy day-trip destination from either city. Driving is the most convenient option — the trip from Prague takes under an hour. The surrounding countryside is classic Bohemian scenery, with gentle hills, farmland, and small villages, so a visit to Radim pairs well with a tour of other Central Bohemian castles and chateaux in the area.

What is there to see — Radim Château

The village revolves around Radim Château (Zámek Radim), a Renaissance countryside residence built for the middle nobility in a distinctive Saxon Renaissance style — an architectural rarity in the Czech Republic. The building fell into disrepair for decades, particularly during the communist era, but new, dedicated owners have since restored it and reopened it to visitors.

The château's showpiece interior feature is a richly painted wooden ceiling that stayed hidden for 280 years, boarded up as part of flood-prevention measures introduced under Empress Maria Theresa. Its later rediscovery and restoration brought the artwork back to light.

In the cellars, visitors can find a smoke kitchen — one of only three such kitchens preserved anywhere in Bohemia. Renaissance-style cooking demonstrations are staged here, giving guests a glimpse of how meals were prepared in an era when open-hearth smoke also served to preserve food.

On the third floor, a small painting gallery displays works by Czech artists from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries — a compact but well-curated collection that captures the taste of the era's noble and bourgeois collectors.

How did the château change hands over the centuries?

The first written record of Radim dates to 1320, and for centuries the estate passed through the hands of the lower nobility. In 1541 the village was purchased by the Zároba of Hustířany family, who built the castle here. Following the Battle of White Mountain in 1620, the property was confiscated, and from 1632 to 1676 it belonged to the Berchtold family. Later, notable owners included the Schlick (1721–1750), Kinsky (1750–1783) and Liechtenstein families — names well known from Bohemian and Central European aristocratic history.

When is the best time to visit Radim?

Unusually for a Czech château, Radim stays open year-round, while many similar sites close for winter. Special themed tours and cultural events are organized during the colder months, making a winter visit an appealing alternative to the region's busier summer attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Radim Château open all year? Yes — unlike many Czech châteaux, it welcomes visitors in every season, with extra themed events held during the winter months.

What is the château's most notable interior feature? A painted wooden ceiling that stayed hidden for 280 years due to flood-prevention work under Empress Maria Theresa, plus one of only three preserved smoke kitchens in Bohemia.

How far is Radim from Prague? About 34 km, or under an hour's drive, making it a practical day-trip destination from the Czech capital.

Who owned Radim Château over the centuries? The estate passed through the Zároba of Hustířany family (from 1541), the Berchtolds, the Schlicks, the Kinskys, and the Liechtensteins.