Žádlovice Castle

Žádlovice Castle is a modest Baroque manor house standing right next to the town of Loštice in Moravia, wrapped in an English-style landscape park. It rarely appears on regional must-see lists, but for travelers drawn to quiet, lesser-known corners of the Czech countryside, it makes a worthwhile short stop — and the park itself can be visited freely, with no admission fee.

Where does the building come from?

The present castle was built between 1679 and 1705 on the site of an older fortified tower, commissioned by the Bukůvka family of Bukůvka. In 1772 the new owners, the Mitrovský family of Nemyšl, reworked the building in a late Baroque style, and much of that appearance survives today. The last private owners were the Dubský family of Třebomyslice, who held the estate from 1891 until it was confiscated in 1945.

What does the castle look like today?

Architecturally, it is a single-story structure under a mansard roof, made up of a central section flanked by two side wings — a layout typical of Central European manor houses from that era. The grounds still include a chapel dating from the late 18th century and two garden pavilions built around the mid-18th century. Surrounding the house is an English-style park, laid out with informal, winding paths and mature trees rather than the strict geometry of a French garden. The building itself underwent a thorough renovation between 1975 and 1980.

Who is connected to the castle?

The estate has a notable literary connection: the writer Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, born Dubská (1830–1916), one of the most important Austrian novelists of her era, was a member of the Dubský family that owned Žádlovice and frequently stayed at the castle. Fans of Central European literature will find that link a good reason to seek the place out.

Can visitors go inside?

After the estate was confiscated in 1945, the building's function changed. Since 1961 it has housed an agricultural technical school based in Loštice, with the castle itself serving as a dormitory — so the interior is not officially open to the public. The surrounding park, however, can be visited freely at any time, making Žádlovice a pleasant short stop for anyone passing through the Loštice area, a region better known for its traditional cheese.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Žádlovice Castle? No — the interior functions as a school dormitory and is closed to visitors. The park around the castle, though, is open to the public without charge.

How far is the castle from central Loštice? Žádlovice sits right next to Loštice, within a short walk or a brief drive of the town center.

What architectural style is the castle built in? It was originally built in the Baroque style and remodeled in 1772 in a late Baroque manner — a single-story building with a mansard roof and two side wings, a look it has kept ever since.

Who owned the castle over the centuries? Ownership passed from the Bukůvka family of Bukůvka (the original builders) to the Mitrovský family of Nemyšl (the 1772 rebuild), and finally to the Dubský family of Třebomyslice, who held it from 1891 until the 1945 confiscation.

Is there a famous person associated with the castle? Yes — the novelist Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, born into the Dubský family that owned the estate, was a frequent guest at Žádlovice.