Zámek Petrovice

Zámek Petrovice sits right on the village square of Petrovice in the Příbram district of central Bohemia, roughly 75 km south of Prague and just 10 km from Sedlčany. It is a small, yellow-fronted château with a neo-Gothic tower that has spent decades serving the local municipal office and an arts school rather than ticket-holding visitors. That everyday quality is part of its charm: this is a castle you take in from the outside while wandering a quiet village square, not one you queue up for.

What is the history behind the château?

The ground the current building stands on was fortified long before the château existed – a medieval stronghold once occupied the site, and the earliest written mentions of Petrovice date back to the late 15th century. By the 16th century the estate was split among several owners; one share was bought in 1601 by Jakub Krčín z Jelčan a Sedlčan, a well-known fishpond administrator, whose family held it until 1628. The Jesuits later moved in, first based nearby in Krašovice before relocating their seat to Petrovice at the end of the 17th century. The turning point came in 1716, when František Karel Paceli z Adlersheimu purchased the estate and had a Baroque residence built directly on the site of the old fortress – the core of today's château. Its present look, though, comes from a 1887 remodeling that gave it a neo-Gothic face: pointed-arch windows and a battlemented tower.

What will you actually see there?

There is no ticket office, no guided route and no museum display – the building now houses the municipal office and a basic arts school. Sightseeing here means admiring it from outside, and it is worth the short stop: the yellow façade, pointed neo-Gothic windows and crenellated tower look like they belong in a storybook illustration. During office hours you may occasionally glimpse students' artwork displayed in the entrance hall. The surrounding park went through a full renovation in 2010–2011 and now serves as a pleasant walking spot for locals and passers-by alike.

How do you get there?

The château stands directly on Petrovice's main square, so it is impossible to miss. Free parking is available right by the square, and the flat terrain makes it easy going even with a stroller. The nearest larger town is Sedlčany, about 10 km to the north, reached via well-marked local roads. Driving from Prague usually takes under an hour.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A short walk from the château stands the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, first documented around 1350 – one of the oldest sacred buildings in the region. Close by is a former brewery building that now hosts an open-air summer cinema. Sedlčany itself offers shops, restaurants and small local museums, and water-sports fans will find the Vltava reservoirs of Slapy and Orlík within easy reach. Hikers can head toward Sedlec-Prčice for marked trails through the surrounding countryside.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the château? No – the building houses the municipal office and an arts school, with no visitor exhibitions. Viewing is limited to the exterior and grounds.

Is there an admission fee? No, walking around the façade and park is completely free.

How long does a visit take? A relaxed walk around the château and its park usually takes about 20–30 minutes.

What else can you combine this with in the area? The nearby Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the old brewery with its summer cinema, the town of Sedlčany, and the Vltava reservoirs at Slapy and Orlík.