Zámek Habry

Zámek Habry is a Baroque chateau standing in the small town of Habry, in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic, in the Havlíčkův Brod district. Although this listing is sometimes linked to nearby Frýdnava, the chateau itself is not in Frýdnava — it stands in Habry proper, while Frýdnava is a separate village belonging to the same municipality, about three kilometres to the north.

Is the chateau in Habry or in Frýdnava?

The building sits on the main square of Habry, close to the Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary. Frýdnava, despite sharing the same municipal administration, is a distinct settlement north of the town centre. It first appears in written records in the 14th century, after King Přemysl Otakar II settled German colonists there between 1260 and 1278. Habry itself is far older: the town is first mentioned in Cosmas's chronicle of 1101, when it stood on an old trade route running from Prague through Německý Brod towards Moravia.

When was the Baroque chateau built?

Construction of the present chateau began in 1717 and was completed around 1720. The project was commissioned by Adolf Felix Pötting-Persing, whose family held the estate for more than a century afterwards. The chateau was raised as a residence for the estate's owners, right next to the parish church.

What happened after the 19th-century fire?

A fire damaged the chateau towards the end of the 19th century. During the subsequent repairs the building lost its top floor and was rebuilt in a Neo-Baroque style, which meant losing much of its original Baroque decoration. From that point on the building was used as a school, a role it kept until 1992.

How did the chateau become a museum?

After the school closed, the building stood without a clear purpose for years. In 2007 it was bought by Petr Rudolf Vančura, who began restoring it and gradually opened rooms to visitors. By 2009 the chateau was operating as a museum.

What can visitors see inside today?

Inside, visitors can see a hunting salon, a Baroque bedroom, the chateau's cellars, and other restored rooms. Concerts are also held on the premises. Visits mainly take place at weekends and usually need to be arranged in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zámek Habry located in Frýdnava? No. The chateau stands in the centre of Habry, on the main square. Frýdnava is a separate village within the same municipality, roughly three kilometres to the north.

When was the chateau built? Between 1717 and 1720, commissioned by Adolf Felix Pötting-Persing, whose family owned the estate for more than a hundred years.

Did the building ever serve a different purpose besides being a residence? Yes. After a fire at the end of the 19th century and a Neo-Baroque rebuild, the chateau became a school and remained one until 1992.

Can the chateau be visited? Yes, it has operated as a museum since 2009. Its rooms, including the hunting salon and the Baroque bedroom, are open to visitors mainly at weekends, usually by prior arrangement.

Who owns the chateau now? Petr Rudolf Vančura has owned it since 2007. He carried out its restoration and turned it into the museum it is today.