Formerly a simple manor of local gentry, it became a favorite summer seat of the powerful family of Auersperg for almost 200 years. Come and hear the stories of a family, passionately loyal to the monarchy and the Kaiser, admiring everything English and making their home in the heart of Bohemia. The area is complemented by a well maintained 16-hectare English park with the second richest dendrological collection in the country. For over half a century, a rare hippological (think everything horses…) collection has been preserved among the castle walls, familiar with the history, meaning and use of the horse in human society.
Svojanov castle is one of the oldest Czech royal castles and is also called "the villa of Czech queens." Svojanov Castle is a place of many cultural events, concerts, theater performances as well as fencing festivals. Notable is a lookout tower and a restored Gothic garden, one of its kind in Central Europe.
Arboretum Žampach is a part of Žampach castle complex and since 2007 is in Union of Botanic Gardens of Czech Republic. Arboretum Žampach consists of 120 genus types and 600 woody plant types. Genus of oak, beech, spruce, pine, fir, ash, maple, birch, gingko and redwood are the most prevalent. The mission of this organization is a professional management of genus tree species, historical site management, environmental education and visitor tours. The specific mission of Arboretum Žampach is the use of nature environment for relaxation methods; work therapy and helping clients, with mental and physical disability, to make positive social connections with the public.
Pernštejn Castle is a castle on a rock above the village of Nedvědice and the rivers Svratka and Nedvědička. Pernštejn came to be known as the marble castle because of the marble-like stone used to frame the doors and windows. Pernštejn is one of the best preserved castles in Czech Republic and its unique architectural heritage has been lately conserved and made accessible to serve as a document of what the seat of prominent lords of the country looked like.
This visit can be a nice family trip. The castle ruin is located on a not so steep hill and looks very romantic. Since 2017 it has a new view "tower" and there is also a tiny museum. If you plan well, you can come in a time of some special event (historical tournaments or medieval markets) that take place here. Noteworthy is a beautiful protected oak tree (Žižkův dub) about 500 meters from the Lichnice ruin.
The name "Memorial Tree" boast only 5 oaks in Bohemia. One of them lives in the village of Podhradí at the ruins of Lichnice Castle and, and with 9 meters in circumference, it belongs to the most important memorial trees in our country. It was reportedly planted around 1250AD and throughout its existence, it survived several fires, breaking a part of the crown, and unprofessional intervention when the cavity of the tree was mistakenly cemented. To prolong the tree’s life, some measures have been taken place including building a fence protecting the tree from disrespectful visitors.
A sign on this memorial tree reads:
"Over 600 years I stand here at the old castle ruin. I saw the castle being built, its glory, its siege, its demise. I wish I can see the happy days of the coming ages."
A tour of Potštejn Castle wreckage, especially with regard to the fortifications, is a powerful experience. While only ruins remain today, Potštejn at one time was one of the largest and most important castles in the country. In the 18th century the castle was ruined by Count Chamaré, who was looking for a supposed treasure of the thieving knight Mikuláš of Potštejn.
And when you are here, do not miss the Potštejn Chateau, a baroque chateau built in 1749, where a beautiful marble hall with a rare, richly decorated, stucco ceiling has been opened since 2007 after extensive reconstruction.
And while you are here make sure to visit Potštejn Chateau, place that offers many interesting attractions and cultural experiences such as classic tours of interiors, “Bubákov”, “Pohádkov” – expositions for children, entertaining excursions in baroque costumes, night tours, confectionery, castle gardens, and much more.
Small but charming Chateau is a work of Italian Renaissance artists. The unique sgraffito decoration, covering all exterior and interior facades, is highly regarded admired both by professionals and the general public. Take a tour of the rare interiors and do not miss a walk through the chateau park next to the newly built natural science museum.
This pilgrimage church, built in honour of St John of Nepomuk, stands at Zelená Hora, not far from Ždár nad Sázavou. Constructed at the beginning of the 18th century on a star-shaped plan, it is the most unusual work by the great architect Jan Blazej Santini, whose highly original style falls between neo-Gothic and Baroque.
