Tachov Castle

Tachov Castle is a Neoclassical residence standing in the West Bohemian town of Tachov, right next to the German border, on the site of a medieval stronghold. Today it blends traces of the old fortress with the elegance of an early 19th-century rebuild, and it's one of the main reasons to break a journey through the Plzeň Region in this small border town.

How do you get there?

Tachov sits on the main route connecting Plzeň with the border crossing into Bavaria, so getting there by car is straightforward — the castle stands practically in the town centre, surrounded by old townhouses. Regional buses from Plzeň also run to Tachov, and the residence is clearly visible from the main square, just a short walk from the public transport stops. For travellers coming from Germany, it's often the first major sight after crossing the border.

How did the castle change over the centuries?

The story of a fortified site in Tachov goes back to the Middle Ages, when a guard stronghold was raised on a hill controlling the border crossing. Under King Ottokar II of Bohemia, before 1275, a massive cylindrical tower on a square stone base was built here from large hewn blocks — the most distinctive feature of the original fortification. The king also founded a walled town around the castle.

The Hussite Wars brought no relief: between 1419 and 1434 the town was besieged and captured repeatedly, and in 1427 the Hussite commander Prokop the Great defeated crusader forces at the Battle of Tachov, fought right outside the walls. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) caused further damage.

The real transformation began in 1664, when Count Johann Anton Losy became the new owner and started converting the medieval castle into a large Baroque residence. In 1770 a lightning strike set the great tower on fire, and the blaze spread through much of the building. From 1784 the estate belonged to the Windischgrätz family, who took a radical step after the fire: in 1802 the remains of the old tower were torn down, and between 1804 and 1808 a Neoclassical, two-wing building with characteristic mansard roofs rose in its place. The Windischgrätz family lived at Tachov until 1939. Between 1969 and 1983 the building underwent a thorough reconstruction.

What will you see today?

The present castle is an elegant Neoclassical building from the early 19th century. Part of it now houses an art school, while the rest is open to visitors. The exhibition inside covers the history of the Windischgrätz family and of the castle itself. The most tangible link to the site's oldest history, though, is what remains of the original defensive tower: fragments of its walls have survived in one of the ground-floor rooms and in the cellars, where visitors can see the original, centuries-old stone blocks up close.

When is the best time to visit?

The interiors are typically open for guided tours during the tourist season, from spring to autumn, when temporary exhibitions also run alongside the permanent displays. Outside the season, the exterior and surrounding grounds remain visible, and the quieter months are a good time for an unhurried walk through Tachov's historic centre without the crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Has the original medieval castle survived in Tachov? Not fully — the original tower from the time of Ottokar II was demolished in 1802 after a fire. Its remains, however, can still be seen in the cellars and on the ground floor of the current building.

Who were the last private owners of the castle? The Windischgrätz family, who owned the estate from 1784 and lived there until 1939.

Can you visit the inside of the castle? Yes, part of the building is open to the public with historical exhibitions, while another part houses an active art school.

What role did Tachov play in the Hussite Wars? In 1427, Hussite forces led by Prokop the Great defeated a crusader army near the town, which itself was besieged and captured several times during the conflict.