Zámek Dobřichovice

Zámek Dobřichovice is a late-Baroque château standing in the heart of the small town of Dobřichovice, on the banks of the Berounka River in Central Bohemia, less than 20 km southwest of Prague. Its modest exterior hides nearly eight centuries of history, stretching from a medieval stronghold guarding a river ford to a summer residence of a knightly religious order.

How far back does the site's history go?

The first written record of Dobřichovice dates to 1253, when King Wenceslaus I granted the settlement to the Order of the Cross with the Red Star. A fortress (tvrz) on the site is documented from 1420 onward. The order briefly lost the estate during the Hussite Wars, but regained control of Dobřichovice in 1505 and held it for centuries afterward.

It was the order's grand master, Hynek Berka z Dubé, who had a Renaissance château built on the site of the old stronghold. Rather than a defensive fortress, the new building was conceived as a representative summer residence for the order's successive grand masters.

What survived the fires and wars?

The château had a rough run with fire and conflict. Swedish troops burned it down in 1639 during the Thirty Years' War. It was rebuilt in 1679 under grand master Jiří Ignác Pospíchal, who also had a chapel added to the complex. A century later, in 1779, another fire swept through the building. The reconstruction that followed gave the château its present late-Baroque appearance, though it still rests on the original Renaissance-era layout of walls.

The Order of the Cross with the Red Star held Dobřichovice continuously until 1948, when the property was nationalized. Decades later the château was returned to its original owners, who have been gradually restoring it ever since — conservation work is still ongoing today.

How do you get there?

Dobřichovice sits directly along the route from Prague toward Beroun and Karlštejn, so driving is the most convenient option — the trip from central Prague takes roughly 25–30 minutes. The town also has its own railway station on the Prague–Beroun line with frequent connections, making it an easy car-free day trip. The château stands right in the town center, close to the Berounka River, just a short walk from the station.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Because the château is still under gradual reconstruction by the religious order that owns it, interior access can be limited — it's worth checking current visiting arrangements before you go. The surrounding area makes up for it: the Berounka River is popular for walks and canoeing, and the famous Karlštejn Castle and the Koněprusy Caves are both close by, making it easy to combine a stop in Dobřichovice with a wider day out in Central Bohemia.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the château in Dobřichovice? The settlement is documented from 1253, but the château in its current late-Baroque form dates from rebuilding in the 17th and 18th centuries, on the foundations of a 16th-century Renaissance building.

Who built the château? It was built by Hynek Berka z Dubé, grand master of the Order of the Cross with the Red Star, on the site of an earlier medieval stronghold.

Can you visit the château? The building belongs to the religious order and is being reconstructed in stages, so interior access can be limited — check the current opening arrangements before planning a visit.

What's the easiest way to get there from Prague? The most convenient options are the train toward Beroun (Dobřichovice has its own station) or driving, which takes about half an hour.