Upper castle in Benešov nad Ploučnicí

Upper Castle (Horní zámek) in Benešov nad Ploučnicí is the older and architecturally richer of the two Renaissance residences that make up the town's castle complex — distinguished by its 16th-century stonework, volute gables, and interiors spanning the Renaissance and Baroque periods that its neighbour, the Lower Castle, does not share.

Who built the Upper Castle, and when?

The residence was built between 1522 and 1524 by Bedřich (Fridrich) of Salhausen, a member of a Saxon knightly family who had purchased the Benešov estate in 1515. The new palace replaced an older fortified building that had stood by the town's defensive walls in its north-western corner — the Salhausens converted this modest structure into a representative Renaissance palace, though one still strongly marked by late Gothic forms. The building was reconstructed in 1543, and after a town fire in 1571 it was repaired with elements of Saxon Renaissance style. It was in the second half of the 16th century that the north wing took shape, with its steep volute gables broken up by sandstone cornices and pilasters — the feature by which the Upper Castle is still recognised today.

What sets the Upper Castle apart from the Lower Castle and the rest of the complex?

Bedřich of Salhausen built the Upper Castle as the family's principal, representative seat. The Lower Castle came later, built between 1540 and 1544 on the site of four burgher houses, intended for Bedřich's younger son Jan. As the seat of the head of the family, the Upper Castle retained a richer architectural programme and interior decoration; later owners tended to use it only seasonally, which — somewhat paradoxically — helped preserve its Renaissance character without extensive later rebuilding.

Who owned the castle after the Salhausens?

Following the failure of the Bohemian Revolt in 1621, the Salhausens were forced to leave the country and the estate passed to other hands. During the Thirty Years' War, the Upper Castle was purchased by Jan Zikmund, Count of Thun, and the Thun family held it until 1926, using it as a summer residence. That year they sold the building to the town of Benešov, which set up a kindergarten on the ground floor and moved the municipal museum to the upper storeys.

What happened to the castle after 1945?

After the Second World War, part of the building served as a grain store for a local collective farm, and later housed a carpentry workshop. Its condition deteriorated steadily until it stood completely empty. In the 1980s there was an attempt to convert it into a cultural centre, but the plan was never carried out. Today the entire castle complex is state-owned, administered by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ).

What can visitors see inside the Upper Castle?

The tour of the Upper Castle takes around 40 minutes and leads through furnished 18th- and 19th-century interiors, recounting the castle's history and the fortunes of its owners. Rooms open to visitors include the Ceremonial Hall (Slavnostní sál), the Lord's Parlour (pánský salonek), and the so-called Capuchin Chamber (kapucínská jizba). The castle preserves Renaissance and Baroque ceilings, historic wall paintings, family epitaphs, and stoves and fireplaces from various periods. Tour groups are limited to 25 people, and guiding is in Czech, with translated texts available. The castle is open seasonally, from April to October.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Upper Castle differ from the Lower Castle? The Upper Castle was built between 1522 and 1524 by Bedřich of Salhausen as the family's main residence, while the Lower Castle was built about two decades later for his son Jan, on the site of former burgher houses. The Upper Castle kept a richer architectural finish and interiors spanning the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Who commissioned and built the Upper Castle? It was commissioned by Bedřich (Fridrich) of Salhausen, of a Saxon noble family that bought the Benešov estate in 1515.

Can the castle be visited? Yes, seasonally between April and October, on a roughly 40-minute guided tour in Czech, with groups capped at 25 visitors.

Who manages the castle today? The whole complex is owned by the Czech state and administered by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ).