Svinaře Castle

Svinaře Castle is a baroque chateau standing on the northern edge of the village of Svinaře in the Beroun district, roughly 30 km southwest of Prague and just 7 km from the famous Karlštejn Castle. It is far from the region's most visited residence, but its turbulent past and ongoing revival make it a worthwhile stop for travelers exploring the countryside around Beroun.

What happened here before the chateau was built?

Long before the current building appeared, a knight's fortress stood on the same spot from roughly the first half of the 14th century until the early 16th century, when it fell out of use by its successive owners. The site then lay dormant until 1766, when Antonín Maschek of Maasburg commissioned a new representative residence together with an extensive landscaped park surrounding it. A trace of that founding moment survives on the building's turret, where a weathervane still bears the inscription "AMV 1766."

Toward the end of the 19th century the estate passed to the Bachofen von Echt family, who carried out further alterations that shaped much of the chateau's present appearance. The 20th century proved far harsher: from 1940 the property belonged to the state police, and a decade later it was handed over to cement works based in Beroun. This period of industrial use took a visible toll on the building, yet in 1965 it was nonetheless listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

What does the chateau look like today?

Architecturally, Svinaře Castle is a modest two-storey structure with seven window axes, measuring roughly 24 by 12 meters. The western facade is dominated by a central three-axis projection topped with a polygonal turret and a tent roof — the same turret carrying the 1766 weathervane. The wider estate also includes a former farmstead with outbuildings and a granary, both of which, along with the chateau and its park, are protected as cultural monuments.

After 1990 the property returned to private hands, and in 2003 it was purchased by Jiří Nosek of Svinaře. Since then, the chateau and its surrounding park — which had suffered from decades of neglect — have undergone a slow, ongoing restoration. Today the grounds host cultural events, and during the summer season visitors can stop at a bistro and café operating in the park.

Who should visit Svinaře Castle?

This is not a grand royal residence built for mass tourism, but a local landmark being brought back to life through private effort. It suits travelers combining a Karlštejn Castle trip with lesser-known sights around Beroun, as well as anyone interested in heritage restoration stories — the rebuilding process here has already lasted more than two decades and remains visibly ongoing.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Svinaře Castle from Prague? The chateau lies about 30 km southwest of central Prague, typically under an hour's drive.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — Karlštejn Castle is only 7 km away, and the town of Beroun is 15 km away, making it easy to combine a visit with other sights in one trip.

Who owns the castle today? Since 2003 the chateau has belonged to a private owner, Jiří Nosek of Svinaře, who is gradually restoring it.

Is there anywhere to eat on site? During the summer season, a bistro and café operate within the park, and the grounds are also occasionally used for cultural events.