Vokšice Castle

Vokšice Castle is a small baroque-and-empire-style residence in the village of Šlikova Ves, in the Hradec Králové Region, on the edge of Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) near Jičín. For close to four centuries the building has been tied to the Šlik family, who administered the surrounding estate, and it remains in private hands today, closed to visitors.

Where does the name Vokšice come from?

A village of this name is already recorded in 1327 as part of the Velíš estate, then held by King John of Luxembourg, who pledged it to Beneš the Elder of Vartemberk. The village itself eventually disappeared — by the 16th century it had been replaced by a manorial farmstead that simply carried the old name Vokšice forward.

How did the estate pass to the Šlik family?

The turning point came after the death of Albrecht von Wallenstein. In 1635, Count Jan Šlik took over the surrounding lands and moved the administration of the whole, sprawling estate from the ruined Velíš castle to Vokšice. A modest stronghold, really more of a manor house, served as the family's administrative seat at the time.

When was the present castle built?

Only around 1700 did František Josef Šlik have an actual castle raised at Vokšice — a simple, single-storey baroque building made up of two wings facing east, with a projecting central bay accentuating the facade. It is this building, rather than the earlier administrative manor, that is the direct predecessor of the structure standing today.

How did the castle's appearance change over time?

The building did not stay untouched. Around 1820 it was remodeled and enlarged in the empire style, giving it a more representative, classicizing look. A further stage of expansion came in 1831, when a newer wing was added.

What happened to the castle in the 20th century?

After 1948, once the communists took power, the castle was confiscated from the Šlik family, as happened to many other noble residences across Czechoslovakia. For the following decades the building had no owner to maintain it and fell into disrepair. Only after 1989, as part of the restitution of family property, did the dilapidated castle return to the Šlik family's descendants.

Can Vokšice Castle be visited today?

The property remains privately owned and is not open to visitors — it is one of those Bohemian Paradise residences that can only be seen from the outside, from the road or the surrounding fields. Worth keeping in mind when planning a trip to the area, so as not to expect access to the interior.

Where is Šlikova Ves located?

Šlikova Ves and the castle itself lie in the Hradec Králové Region, near Jičín, in the area known as Bohemian Paradise — a region dotted with rock cities, castles and manor houses, popular with travelers looking for a quieter, more low-key side of northeastern Bohemia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the interior of Vokšice Castle be visited? No. The building is privately owned and closed to the public — only an exterior view is possible.

Which family is the castle associated with? Mainly the Šlik family, who took over the local estate in 1635; it was on their initiative that the present castle was built around 1700.

When was the castle in its current form built? The core baroque building went up around 1700 under František Josef Šlik, and was enlarged in the empire style around 1820 and again in 1831.

What happened to the castle after 1948? It was confiscated from the Šlik family by the communist authorities and fell into disrepair over the following decades, before returning to the family, in a neglected state, after 1989.

Where exactly is the castle located? In the village of Šlikova Ves in the Hradec Králové Region, near Jičín, within the Bohemian Paradise area.