zámek Chodová Planá

Zámek Chodová Planá stands on the edge of the small town of the same name in the Tachov district, close to the Czech-German border. Despite the town's much older name, the building itself is a fairly young structure, dating only to the early 20th century — while Chodová Planá as a settlement carries a far longer history tied to a medieval stronghold and local brewing.

Who built the castle, and when?

The present-day castle was built between 1902 and 1904 on the initiative of Count Hans Ernst von Berchem-Haimhausen, owner of the local estate. The design came from Viennese architect R. Feldschark, while the construction itself was carried out by local builder Thomas Thuner. The result is a neo-Renaissance residence — a representative family seat rather than a defensive structure.

The park surrounding the castle predates the building itself and was also laid out on the Count's initiative. It contains an old Jewish cemetery, a reminder of a Jewish community once present in this part of Bohemia.

What happened to the castle after World War II?

After 1945 the estate passed into state ownership. During the 1950s the building and much of the surrounding park were taken over by the military, housing a Border Guard unit of the Planá garrison. The army remained in the building until 1990, keeping it closed to the public for decades and contributing to its gradual deterioration.

What is the castle used for today?

The castle is now owned by the municipality of Chodová Planá. After years of neglect, it underwent a thorough restoration between 2023 and 2025, which turned the former residence into a senior care home operated by the Senlife company. A building that stood empty and decaying for decades has thus gained a new practical purpose, while keeping its historical shape and the character of its park.

Why is Chodová Planá known for beer rather than just for its castle?

The town's name has long been linked to a brewing tradition — the family-run Chodovar brewery operates here, first documented in writing in 1573, though the cellar passages carved into the granite bedrock are older still, dating back to the 14th century. According to local legend, a dog named Albi discovered an abundant spring of water in the area, which gave rise to brewing on the site; the dog's image still appears in the emblem of the local maltsters' guild.

Those cellars trace back to a much older, medieval stronghold that gave the settlement its name. After the Cheb region was annexed to the Kingdom of Bohemia by John of Luxembourg in 1322, that old fortification lost its strategic importance and gradually disappeared. It is a distinct structure from the neo-Renaissance castle built in the early 20th century, even though both are tied to the history of the same site.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors tour the castle in Chodová Planá? Since the restoration was completed in 2025, the building serves as a senior care home run by the Senlife company, so it is not a museum-style attraction — touring the interiors is not the site's main purpose today.

In what style was the castle built? In the neo-Renaissance style, typical of aristocratic residences built within the Austro-Hungarian monarchy around the turn of the 20th century.

Is this the same site as the old stronghold near the Chodovar brewery? No. The current castle dates from 1902–1904. The older medieval stronghold linked to Chodovar's cellar traditions had already disappeared before modern times, after losing its strategic significance in the 14th century.

Who owned the castle before 1945? The Berchem-Haimhausen family, specifically Count Hans Ernst von Berchem-Haimhausen, on whose initiative both the castle and its surrounding park were created.