zámek Vlčice

Vlčice Castle is a small Renaissance-turned-Empire-style chateau in the village of Vlčice, in the Podkrkonoší region of Czechia, roughly 7 km from Trutnov. The building is protected as a Czech cultural monument and today operates as a private accommodation with apartments for rent.

What is the history behind the castle?

The village of Vlčice was founded in 1248 by the locator Vrocivoj. The first known owner of the local estate was the knight Albert Schoff, recorded in 1371. At the end of the 16th century, the fortified manor house — a moated residence protected by a pond — was acquired by Albert of Maltitz, who most likely had it rebuilt in Renaissance style. The building is first referred to as a "castle" (zámek) in 1665, in an inventory drawn up after the death of Jan Heinrich Maltitz.

The Maltitz family held the estate until 1791, when the line died out and Vlčice passed to the Silesian Counts Schaffgotsch. It was Count Joseph Schaffgotsch who had the castle rebuilt in Empire style in 1829 — the appearance it has kept to this day.

After the Second World War the castle was nationalized and used by an agricultural cooperative. In the 1950s it was damaged by a fire. Following privatization after 1989, it served until 1992 as a recreational facility of the OKD mining company, before passing into private hands. The new owners carried out a thorough renovation and returned the building to active use — it now welcomes overnight guests.

What can you see on site?

The castle is a two-storey, three-wing building, notable for the gently curved facade of its central wing. The side wings are linked by a corridor and a covered balcony, and the whole structure is topped with a mansard roof — a hallmark of the 1829 Empire-style rebuild. Around the building lies a castle garden fitted out with spaces for sport and relaxation, available to guests staying overnight.

The castle sits on a marked cycling route that, in winter, is groomed into a cross-country skiing trail — making it a practical base for active travel through Podkrkonoší regardless of the season.

How do you get to Vlčice Castle?

The village of Vlčice lies in the Podkrkonoší region, in the Trutnov district, about 7 km from the town of Trutnov. It makes a convenient stop on a trip through the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) foothills — from the castle it's an easy drive or ride by bike into Trutnov, and from there further into the mountains or toward the Polish border.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the castle functions as accommodation with a garden and a cycling/skiing trail right outside, it is worth a visit in any season — summer for cycling and the garden, winter for cross-country skiing. Because there are only two furnished apartments, it is worth checking availability well ahead of time.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of Vlčice Castle? The building is privately owned and run as accommodation, so there are no ticketed tours in the classic sense. Overnight guests, however, have access to both the building and the surrounding castle garden.

How far is the castle from Trutnov? About 7 kilometers, which makes it a convenient base for exploring Podkrkonoší and the Krkonoše foothills.

Why does the castle look the way it does today? It began as a moated fortified manor recorded by the 14th century, was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 16th century under Albert of Maltitz, and was given its current Empire-style appearance in 1829 by Count Joseph Schaffgotsch.

Can you cycle or cross-country ski near the castle? Yes — a marked cycling route runs right past the castle, and in winter it is maintained as a cross-country skiing trail, making it an attractive year-round destination.