Zamek w Štáblovicach

Štáblovice Castle stands in the village of Štáblovice in the Opava Silesia region of the Czech Republic, wrapped in a landscaped park and a formal French garden. Closed for decades, the estate underwent extensive restoration and reopened its doors to visitors in 2021.

Where does the story of this castle begin?

The settlement of Štáblovice already appears in written records from 1312, mentioning a certain Nicholas of Štáblovice, and the estate belonged to the Bishops of Olomouc, who granted it out as a fief. In 1460 the property passed to the lords of Kovalovice, and it was this family that raised the first fortified seat here — a moated stronghold whose oldest surviving traces date to around 1500.

The real transformation came a century later. Kašpar Rotmberk of Ketř, a prominent local nobleman who sat on the feudal court in Olomouc, turned the modest stronghold into an impressive Renaissance manor. That era is remembered for the estate's prosperity and for the religious tolerance that marked the region at the time. The Thirty Years' War brought this golden age to an abrupt end, leaving the estate damaged and forcing a change of ownership.

In 1654 the property was bought by Jan Lescourant, a military commander of Olomouc descended from the Lorraine family of Lescourant de la Rochelle. Their name still lives on at the castle today — the on-site café is called Caffé Lescourant in their honor. After this period of prosperity, however, the building faced decades of neglect and slow decay before finally undergoing a full-scale reconstruction in recent years.

What is there to see?

The castle has a three-wing layout and is surrounded by a well-kept landscape park, with a formal French garden laid out in the western part of the grounds — a pleasant spot for a stroll once the indoor tour is done. Inside, visitors can walk through representative halls and rooms furnished with period pieces and artworks that bring the daily life of the former owners back to mind.

Once the tour is finished, it's worth stopping at the Castle Restaurant or the aforementioned Caffé Lescourant for local food and drink. The grounds are stroller-friendly, which families traveling with small children will appreciate, and parking is available close to the entrance.

How to get there, and when to go?

The castle sits in the village of Štáblovice, not far from the town of Opava, right in the heart of the Opava Silesia region. A blue-marked hiking trail runs through the village, connecting the old Štáblovice mill with the ruins of Vikštejn Castle, and cycling route 6221 Radegast Opava also passes nearby — a good excuse to combine the castle visit with some time outdoors.

The castle welcomes visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, with Fridays added in July and August. Tickets can be bought on-site at the box office or booked in advance online through the castle's website. Summer is the best time to visit, since both the interiors and the gardens are open and the weather makes walking the park grounds far more enjoyable.

Frequently asked questions

Is Štáblovice Castle open to the public? Yes. After years of closure and restoration work, the castle reopened to visitors in 2021. Tours run on weekends, plus Fridays during July and August.

How old is the castle? The village of Štáblovice was first recorded in 1312, and the first fortified seat on the site was built around 1500. The building took on its current Renaissance character around the turn of the 17th century.

Is there somewhere to eat at the castle? Yes, the grounds include a Castle Restaurant and Caffé Lescourant, a café named after the family that once owned the estate.

Can a visit be combined with hiking or cycling? Easily. A blue hiking trail leads from Štáblovice toward the ruins of Vikštejn Castle, and cycling route 6221 Radegast Opava runs through the area as well, making it simple to turn the visit into a longer day out.