Štiřín Castle

Štiřín Castle stands in the municipality of Kamenice, roughly 20 km southeast of Prague, surrounded by ponds and woodland close to the villages of Struhařov, Všedobrovice and Želivec. Today it operates as a refined countryside hotel, but its story stretches back to the Middle Ages.

How did the castle take its current shape?

A Gothic stronghold already stood on this site in the 15th century, and in 1562 it hosted Emperor and King Maximilian II. The fortress did not survive the Thirty Years' War, though — only three small ground-floor rooms of the original structure remained standing. The three-wing layout and Baroque character visitors see today are the result of a major rebuild completed in 1750.

Ownership changed hands several times over the following centuries. Prince Rohan bought the estate in 1822, and between 1831 and 1870 it belonged to the Nostitz-Rieneck family, also known as owners of the nearby Průhonice estate. The last private owner, from 1870, was the industrialist František Ringhoffer, whose family kept the property until 1945.

After the Second World War the chateau passed into state hands. In the early 1950s it belonged to the Ministry of Education and served as a training and recreation facility for the ROH trade union organization. Its real transformation came between 1985 and 2007, when the building and surrounding park underwent extensive restoration, turning Štiřín into a hotel, conference and cultural venue.

What will you see on site?

The complex today comprises five buildings with 63 rooms in total: the main chateau, furnished with elegant late-Baroque interiors, the Baroque-style Salm House, the rustic Jockey House, and the chateau-style Arminia House. The grounds are wrapped in an English-style park dotted with ponds, making it a favourite spot for a quiet walk or a longer stay surrounded by greenery.

The estate also includes a golf course, a restaurant, and a wellness area with a spa, fitness centre, bowling alley, bicycle rental and stables offering horseback-riding lessons. The setting is calm enough — and the sports facilities good enough — that the Czech national football team regularly holds training camps here.

How do you get to Štiřín Castle?

Štiřín lies in the Kamenice municipality just southeast of Prague, and driving from the capital typically takes around 30–40 minutes. That makes it a popular day-trip destination for Prague residents and a convenient countryside escape for visitors staying in the city who want quiet surroundings without travelling far.

When is the best time to visit?

The English-style park looks its best in spring and autumn, when foliage colours play off the Baroque architecture and the ponds. Summer is ideal for the golf course and outdoor activities, while winter gives the chateau a particularly cosy, fairy-tale atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Štiřín Castle without staying overnight? Yes, the restaurant and park grounds are accessible to visitors, though the main draw remains a hotel stay with full access to the spa and other facilities.

How many rooms does the hotel have? The complex offers 63 rooms spread across five different buildings, from the main chateau to the styled guest houses.

Is there a golf course at Štiřín? Yes, guests have access to an on-site golf course as part of the estate's amenities.

Why is the castle associated with the Czech national football team? Its quiet location, spacious park and sports infrastructure make Štiřín a regular choice for the national team's training camps.