zámeček Radčice

Zámeček Radčice is a small Neo-Gothic chateau perched on a rocky outcrop called Čertova kazatelna (the Devil's Pulpit) above the Mže River, right on the road from Plzeň to Město Touškov, about a kilometre before the village of Radčice.

How do you get to Zámeček Radčice?

The chateau sits on the north-western edge of Plzeň, in the Mže river valley, within the city district of Plzeň 7-Radčice. The easiest way there is by car or bike along the road leading from the city centre toward Město Touškov — the building comes into view on the right, just before you reach the village itself. You can also walk or cycle along the riverside trail that runs through the valley below the rock; from there the chateau is especially striking, since its southern facade rises almost directly above the water. If you're relying on public transport, the nearest stops are in Radčice village, leaving a short walk to the chateau itself.

What will you see there?

The building has an almost square footprint, rises two storeys, and is flanked by a pair of cylindrical corner towers, giving it the silhouette of a miniature castle even though it was never built for defence. It stands on a rocky pedestal above a bend in the Mže, and that setting is really the main reason to come — the sight of a turreted building perched on stone above a wooded river valley is the most photogenic part of any visit. The chateau itself cannot be entered, since it has long housed a private secondary school of art and design, so viewing is strictly from the outside — best done either from the riverbank trail or from the road running above it.

What's the history behind the building?

The site has a longer history than the chateau itself: an older farm building, reportedly tied to a Dominican estate, is said to have stood here before being torn down in 1888. The current structure was commissioned in 1908 by the Lobkowicz family as a Neo-Gothic villa, built by local master builders Josef and Václav Páský. The chateau was even the birthplace of Jaroslav Lobkowicz the Elder in 1910. A few years later, in 1914, an open-air theatre known as "Na zámečku" was erected just north of the building, though it fell into disrepair and was demolished by 1923. The darkest chapter came during the Second World War, when the chateau served as the main Luftwaffe headquarters in Plzeň, before German command relocated to an air-raid shelter built at Vinice. After the war the building was repurposed for education, and it has functioned as a private secondary art school for decades — which is why its interior remains off-limits to visitors today.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer are the best seasons to see the chateau, when the Mže valley is green and the afternoon light shows the rock and building at their best from the riverside approach. Autumn brings attractive colour to the surrounding forest, while in winter the riverbank path can turn damp and slippery. Since the site is only viewed from the outside, there's no need to book ahead or check opening hours — just good weather and a short walk along the river are enough.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Zámeček Radčice? No, the building is not open to visitors, as it currently houses a private secondary school of art and design. It can only be admired from outside, ideally from along the Mže riverbank.

Why is it called a "zámeček" (little chateau) if it was never a fortified castle? The name reflects its style and scale rather than any military function — the Neo-Gothic villa with corner towers evokes castle architecture, but it was designed from the start as a family residence, not a fortification.

What is the chateau's connection to the Lobkowicz family? The Lobkowicz family commissioned the building in 1908, and Jaroslav Lobkowicz the Elder was born here in 1910, making it a genuine family residence rather than a purely decorative structure.

What happened at the chateau during the Second World War? The building served as the main Luftwaffe headquarters in Plzeň until German command moved to an air-raid shelter constructed at Vinice.