Struhaře

Struhaře is a small settlement that forms part of the municipality of Lubenec, in the Louny District of northwestern Bohemia, Czech Republic. The place is best known for its chateau, a Baroque residence standing on a low hill just north of the village of Vítkovice, surrounded by the quiet, gently rolling farmland of the Podbořansko region.

How do you get to Struhaře?

The settlement sits directly on cycling route number 2152 and next to a blue-marked hiking trail, making it a natural stop on a longer trip connecting Lubenec and Vítkovice. The easiest approach is by car or bicycle from Lubenec — the distance is short and the local roads are quiet. Hikers are best served by the blue trail, which runs close to the chateau walls.

What will you see in Struhaře?

The main attraction is the chateau itself: a building on a rectangular floor plan, covered with a hipped roof and resting on preserved vaulted cellars in its lower section. The first written record of a fortress on this site dates back to 1579, though settlement here is considerably older — a nobleman named Jindřich ze Struhař is already mentioned in 1363, evidence that a small manor stood here as early as the 14th century. The estate changed hands several times before passing, in 1490, to the Gutštejn family.

The building's present Baroque character took shape in two stages. In the second half of the 17th century the medieval fortress was rebuilt into a chateau, and its final, elegant appearance was given by Count Maxmilián Václav Lažanský after 1730. It is essentially this form that has survived to the present day.

After 1945 the chateau shared the fate of many similar estates across the former Sudetenland: it was abandoned and gradually fell into disrepair. Parts of the roof structure collapsed, ceilings caved in, and the masonry suffered damage. New owners have since begun restoration work, though the chateau remains private property and is not open to visitors — it can only be admired from the outside, from the road or the trail running past it.

When is the best time to visit Struhaře?

Spring and summer are the most rewarding seasons, when the surrounding fields and meadows are green and the region's cycling and hiking routes are fully passable. Autumn suits visitors who enjoy quiet, picturesque landscapes — this part of the Czech Republic sees very light tourist traffic, so crowds are simply not an issue at any time of year.

What else can you combine with a visit to Struhaře?

A good plan is to build a longer route linking Struhaře with Lubenec itself, a few kilometres away, and with nearby Vítkovice. The Podbořansko region offers a network of calm local roads and trails well suited to an easy family bike ride, with an interesting piece of history along the way.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the chateau in Struhaře? No, the building is privately owned and closed to visitors. It can only be viewed from the outside, from the road or the nearby trail.

How old is the chateau in Struhaře? The first mention of a fortress on the site dates to 1579, but settlement in the area goes back to the 14th century. The chateau received its current Baroque form after 1730, under Count Lažanský.

Can you cycle to Struhaře? Yes, marked cycling route number 2152 passes directly through the settlement, and a blue-marked hiking trail runs close to the chateau as well.

Where is Struhaře located relative to Lubenec? Struhaře is an administrative part of the municipality of Lubenec, situated north of the village of Vítkovice in the Louny District.