Starý zámek Batelov

Starý zámek Batelov (the Old Castle of Batelov) stands in the small town of Batelov in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, part of a municipality that also includes the nearby village of Bezděčín, less than two kilometres away. It is one of two castles in Batelov that sit almost side by side — the other, the "New" Castle, rises just next door.

Where exactly is it?

Batelov lies roughly 16 km southwest of Jihlava and about 20 km southeast of Pelhřimov, on the route connecting the two towns. The Old Castle occupies a spot right in the town centre, practically touching the New Castle — the two buildings are separated by only a few dozen metres, which is itself unusual: it's rare to find two noble residences sharing the same base name standing this close together.

Why is it called the "old" castle?

The building was created in the second half of the 16th century out of an older Gothic fortress, rebuilt in Renaissance style by Jiří Čížovský of Čížov. Its time as a noble residence was short-lived, though: by the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries the family had moved into the more comfortable "new" castle built alongside it, and the older building was converted into an administrative seat for the Batelov estate. That shift in function explains the name still used today — the "old" castle simply refers to the earlier of the two buildings, as opposed to the newer residence.

What does it look like now?

It's a modest, single-storey structure on a rectangular floor plan with a central tower. The facade is white, with traces of the sgraffito decoration typical of Renaissance buildings still visible in places, and the windows are framed in stone. The castle was later reworked with Baroque details, and it underwent its last major renovation in 1880 — which is why the facade today mixes elements from different periods. It is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Can you go inside?

No — Starý zámek Batelov is not currently open to visitors. It still serves administrative and utility functions, much as it has since the 17th century, so it can only be admired from the outside. That's still enough to appreciate how the two castles sit next to each other and to take in the Renaissance-Baroque mix on the facade.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

After visiting the Old Castle, it's worth walking the short distance to Batelov's New Castle to compare the two buildings and get the full picture of the noble family that owned the estate. Batelov itself, made up of several parts including Bezděčín, has the quiet, rural character typical of the Highlands region — a good stop on the way between Jihlava and Pelhřimov.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the castle is only viewed from outside, any month without snow or mud works well — spring through autumn, when the white facade and tower show up clearly in daylight and the town centre invites a short walk around.

Frequently asked questions

Is Starý zámek Batelov different from the New Castle in Batelov? Yes, they are two separate buildings standing next to each other. The Old Castle is the older, Renaissance-era structure that took on administrative duties from the turn of the 16th/17th century, while the New Castle became the family's main residence.

Is the castle open to visitors? No, the interior is not open to the public. It can only be seen from the outside.

Who built the castle? Its present Renaissance form dates to the second half of the 16th century, when Jiří Čížovský of Čížov rebuilt an older Gothic fortress on the site.

Is the castle located in Bezděčín or in Batelov? Physically it stands in the centre of Batelov itself; Bezděčín is a neighbouring village belonging to the same municipality, about two kilometres away.