Žleby Castle

Žleby Castle is a large aristocratic residence in Central Bohemia, in the Kutná Hora district, best known for its fairy-tale, Neo-Gothic silhouette of towers and battlements added in the 19th century. Behind that romantic exterior lies a much older story, stretching back to the Middle Ages and passing through Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque phases before reaching its present form.

How old is the castle and who founded it?

Žleby is first mentioned in written records in 1289, when a fortress already stood on the site. It was most likely built by the House of Lichtenburg, a powerful noble family that controlled large parts of eastern Bohemia at the time. The estate's importance is underlined by the fact that in 1356 it was purchased by no less than Emperor and King Charles IV himself. The castle's early history was turbulent: during the Hussite Wars, it was besieged and partly destroyed in 1427.

How did the castle's appearance change over the centuries?

Following the Hussite destruction, the castle was rebuilt in the Late Gothic style around the middle of the 15th century under John of Vízmburk. A far more substantial transformation came in the 16th century, when Václav Chotouchovský of Nebovidy converted the medieval stronghold into a four-wing Renaissance chateau centred on an arcaded courtyard. Later centuries added Baroque touches, including facade risalits and a western utility wing that was never fully completed. The building's most recognisable form, however, dates from a 19th-century Romantic reconstruction, which introduced battlements, towers and spires, and gave the north facade an Elizabethan-inspired look.

Who owned Žleby Castle through the centuries?

Ownership of the estate changed hands many times. Records mention the Hodkov family and later the Czernin and Trčka families, the latter connected with the turbulent period of the Thirty Years' War. The property subsequently passed to the Kaiserstein and Schönfeld families before being acquired in 1754 by the Auersperg family, a noble house of Tyrolean origin, who held it longer than anyone else — until 1945. It was Duke Vincent Charles Auersperg (1812–1867), together with his wife Princess Wilhelmina, who commissioned the Romantic renovation that defines the castle's appearance today. After 1945 the estate was confiscated under presidential decree and has since remained state property, administered by the National Heritage Institute.

What can visitors see at the castle today?

The eastern wing was opened to the public as early as the late 19th century and has served as a museum ever since. Its interiors preserve rich collections of weapons, furniture, leather wall coverings, paintings, stained glass, manuscripts, books and everyday household items that once belonged to the castle's residents. The exhibits trace both the history of the Auersperg family and the shifting artistic tastes of successive eras. The castle is surrounded by an extensive landscaped park typical of aristocratic residences in the region, making it a popular destination that combines an interior tour with a walk through the grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Žleby Castle located? In the village of Žleby, in the Kutná Hora district of Central Bohemia, Czech Republic.

What architectural style is the castle built in? Its current look results from a 19th-century Neo-Gothic (Romantic) reconstruction, though the core of the building has Gothic and Renaissance origins.

Which family owned the castle the longest? The Auersperg family, who held Žleby from 1754 until 1945.

Can the castle be visited? Yes, the eastern wing has functioned as a museum exhibition open to visitors since the late 19th century.