Discover Hidden Gems: Your Escape from Boredom Awaits!

The Czech Republic is well-known for its many castles and chateaus, drawing in thousands of tourists each year. Besides the famous landmarks like Karlštejn and Hluboká, there are also some hidden gems that most people overlook. Here, you can unearth unsuspected treasures such as unique collections, beautiful gardens, secret pathways, and stunning views—all without the hustle and bustle of large tourist crowds. Below are some exciting suggestions for an unforgettable journey to various castles and chateaus throughout the country that you should definitely check out.

Castle Museum in Český Krumlov

For instance, while the Castle and Chateau in Český Krumlov may close its doors during winter, you can still visit the Castle Museum, housed in a building known as The Castle within the second courtyard of the castle grounds. This is one of the oldest and most significant structures in the Český Krumlov castle complex.

During your visit, you’ll feel as though you have stepped into the 19th century; the vintage wallpaper, curtains, antique chandeliers, and a restored tile stove are complemented by replicas of historical display cases. Inside, you’ll find intriguing exhibits from the Rosenberg, Eggenberg, and Schwarzenberg collections, accompanied by period films showing classics from the early 20th century.

The museum is open every day except Mondays during the low season, and since it is located right on the castle grounds, you can also catch a glimpse of parts of the castle, like the castle tower, which is also accessible daily except Mondays.

B for Bruntál, Blansko and Blovice

Castle features a unique floor plan, an arcaded courtyard, a tower, and a castle park that still has remnants of the old city walls, salou terrenou, along with fascinating exhibits. This is what you will encounter during your tour of the Museum v Bruntál. In addition to the permanent exhibits centered on the natural history of Bruntál and local traditional crafts, you can also explore the castle itself. You will meander through halls adorned with rococo wall paintings and original furniture, along with a library and gallery displaying paintings from the collections of the Grand Masters of the Teutonic Knights. This museum is open year-round, daily except Mondays.

Similar features can be found at the castle in Blansko, where the Blansko Museum is located. During winter, it’s open on weekdays except Mondays, and in the high season, it welcomes guests on weekends, offering various exhibitions. These exhibitions highlight notable personalities of Blansko, artistic cast iron from local ironworks, as well as the Moravian Karst and surrounding castles. An unusual highlight is Baron Reichenbach’s chemical laboratory. The most charming rooms of the castle will be presented as they were at the end of the 19th century. Interestingly, The exhibition Housing at Blansko Castle focuses on the living spaces that existed here around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

You can check out Hradiště Chateau or the Museum of Southern Pilsen in Blovice, with visiting hours from Tuesday to Saturday throughout the year (and Sundays during the high season). Different sections of the museum are dedicated to ethnography or the history of sleeping and washing, as well as exhibitions showcasing regional painters and interiors from both noble and bourgeois backgrounds.

To Teplice for the estate…

The castle that doubles as a museum is found in the well-known spa town of Teplice. The local Regional Museum is open every day of the week except Mondays and offers several routes for visitors. If you’re particularly interested in the interior of the castle, you’ll want to explore all the available paths. Inside, you’ll see a range of collections including zoological, mineralogical, numismatic, and archaeological exhibits, along with a display of ceramics and porcelain, as well as the history of the local spa industry or a history of clocks.

One of the routes is called In the footsteps of a vanished monastery and will guide you through the beautifully preserved interiors of a Benedictine monastery founded around 1160 by a Bohemian Queen Judith. On the ground floor of the west wing, there is an exhibition hall known as the riding hall, which used to serve as stables and carriage rooms; today, it is used for temporary exhibits.

…and to see Mr. Warden in Roztoky

The former fortress that transformed into a chateau over the years now hosts the Central Bohemia Museum in Roztoky u Prague. Some medieval characteristics can still be spotted here, such as the moat, pulleys, and the weights of the original drawbridge located at the entrance. The castle faced damage from floods in the summer of 2002, but new exhibitions reopened a few years later. You are welcome to visit every year from Wednesday to Sunday to explore two exhibitions.

The first exhibition depicts Housing and the Office of the Administrator from when the castle served as the headquarters for the estate administration. The second exhibition showcases Roztoky as a popular resort where townspeople from Prague often enjoyed summer vacations.

Museum at the castle in Horažďovice

If you venture to City Museum located at the castle in Horažďovice, you’ll find even more beautifully hidden castle interiors. Make sure to stop here on your way to the nearby aquapark and take a stroll through the historic interiors, antler corridor, or the castle bathroom; during off-peak seasons, it’s open on Fridays and weekends.

Additional exhibitions highlight topics like Prague marionettes, or puppetry and folklore, while the City Gallery features a collection of alpine minerals. If you arrange ahead of time, you might even be able to join guided interactive workshops to try your hand at ancient crafts or traditional artistic techniques.