Zámek Přemyslovice

Přemyslovice Castle (Zámek Přemyslovice) is a Neo-Gothic manor built to look like a medieval stronghold, standing in the municipality of Přemyslovice in the Prostějov district of the Olomouc Region in Moravia. The neighbouring village of Štarnov, less than three kilometres away, belongs to the same municipality.

Where did the castle come from?

Despite its fortress-like looks, the building has no medieval origins. In 1825 the industrialist Karel Příza put up a small romantic summer house on the site, known as Emerenciin letohrádek, meant for occasional stays rather than year-round living. The real transformation came later: in 1878 the estate was bought by Edmund Bochner, an industrialist from Brno, who around 1880 had the summer house substantially rebuilt to resemble a medieval castle. The design was the work of architect August Prokop.

What does the building actually look like?

The rebuilding left behind a three-winged Neo-Gothic structure, deliberately shaped to evoke an old fortress. Its most recognisable features are two angular towers topped with battlements, along with tall gables and buttresses along the façades. Even so, the building's nineteenth-century origins show through — it reads more as a romantic fantasy of a castle than a faithful reconstruction of medieval defensive architecture.

What happened to the castle in the 20th century?

The estate stayed in private hands until the mid-20th century. After 1945 its use changed considerably: it housed an agricultural school with dormitories, and in later years the building also served as a poultry-processing facility and a venue for children's summer camps. Following the 1989 revolution, the property was returned to the family of its original owners. Since 2016 the castle has had a new owner, Mr. Benýšek, who plans to restore the badly deteriorated building.

Can you visit the castle today?

Přemyslovice Castle is not currently open to visitors — the interior is off-limits, and the building's condition still calls for restoration work. It can only be viewed from the outside, for instance while passing through on the road. That makes it more of a draw for architecture and regional-history enthusiasts than a stop on a guided tour.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A visit pairs well with a stop in Štarnov, a small village of just over a hundred residents that forms one municipality together with Přemyslovice. Štarnov was established in 1786 when the old Přemyslovice manor estate was divided up, and it was previously known as Hvězdov. The whole area lies in the Haná region, known for its flat farmland and traditional Moravian rural architecture, making it a pleasant stop for a quiet, low-key countryside walk in Moravia.

Frequently asked questions

Is Přemyslovice Castle open to visitors? No, the building is currently closed to the public and can only be seen from the outside.

How old is the castle? Its origins go back to 1825, when a small summer house was built on the site. The castle-like appearance it has today only dates from around 1880, following a rebuild commissioned by Edmund Bochner.

What architectural style is it? It is a Neo-Gothic building, designed by architect August Prokop to resemble a medieval stronghold.

How are Přemyslovice and Štarnov related? Both places belong to the same municipality, Přemyslovice, in the Prostějov district. Štarnov is the smaller of the two, located about three kilometres away.