Zámek Běšiny

Běšiny Chateau stands in the village of Běšiny in the Klatovy district, a short drive from Klatovy toward Železná Ruda on the edge of the Pošumaví region. Kozí, a hamlet that belongs to the Běšiny municipality, sits right next to the chateau, making it the natural starting point for a quiet, low-key visit to this small and little-known monument.

What's the history behind the chateau?

The building standing today dates from the second half of the 16th century, when a Renaissance residence replaced an older stone fortalice (tvrz). The rebuilding was commissioned by Adam of Běšiny, who gave his name to both the village and the estate. After his death the property was split, and from 1602 the half with the fortress belonged to Adam Trystan of Běšiny — records from that time even mention an "old" and a "new" fortress before the two halves of the estate were reunited. The Koc family of Dobrše held Běšiny next, until 1678, when the estate was bought by Vilém Albrecht Krakovský of Kolovrat, who folded it into his Týnec domain. The Krakovský family kept Běšiny until 1924.

The chateau was built as a three-wing structure with a tower at its northwest corner, and its east façade was lined with arcades — a layout typical of Renaissance manor houses in this part of Bohemia. Baroque-era alterations followed later. The older stone fortress that preceded the chateau didn't disappear entirely: it was converted into a granary, which still stands below the chateau on the bank of the Ostrovský pond.

How has the building's use changed over time?

The chateau still served as a residence into the 19th century, even though it had already stopped being the family's main seat earlier on. As the Krakovský of Kolovrat family expanded its business ventures, part of the chateau was converted into a distillery, while another part was turned into housing. That industrial chapter permanently changed the character of the building and sets it apart from many other Czech chateaux that stayed purely residential.

Can you visit the chateau today?

No — the chateau is currently closed and not open to the public. It can only be admired from the outside, while walking through the village of Běšiny or along the road toward Kozí. That makes it more of a destination for lovers of architectural history and the quiet rural scenery of Pošumaví than a classic guided-tour stop.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to go?

Běšiny lies right on the road connecting Klatovy to Železná Ruda, so the easiest way to reach it is by car — it works well as a stop on the way into the Šumava mountains. The surrounding area, including the Ostrovský pond itself, is pleasant for a walk or a break at any time of year, though spring and summer give the best light for photographing the façade and arcades. In winter, approach roads can get snowy, so it's worth checking local road conditions beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

Is Běšiny Chateau open to visitors? No, the building is currently closed and cannot be visited inside. It can only be seen from the outside.

Where does the chateau's name come from? From Adam of Běšiny, who financed the Renaissance rebuilding of the older fortress in the second half of the 16th century.

What happened to the older fortress that stood here before? It was converted into a granary, which still survives below the chateau, on the bank of the Ostrovský pond.

How far is the chateau from Klatovy? About a dozen kilometers, along the road heading toward Železná Ruda and on into the Šumava mountains.