Kralův Dvůr Castle: A Baroque Landmark Near Prague Where Concerts Replace Guided Tours

In the town of Kralův Dvůr, not far from Prague, stands a castle whose history stretches back to the 16th century, when the first building was erected on the site of a stone royal courtyard belonging to the Lobkowicz family. The structure took on its current Baroque appearance in the second half of the 18th century, and the renovation is attributed to the renowned architect Kilian Ignaz Dientzenhofer.

From a Vegetable Warehouse to a Town Library

After 1945, the building was put to almost every use except a ceremonial one: it housed an agricultural school, a municipal enterprise, and part of the premises even served as a vegetable storehouse. The park surrounding the castle suffered greatly as well — in the 1980s, a significant portion of it was destroyed during the construction of the D5 highway.

Since 2011, the landmark has belonged to the town of Kralův Dvůr, which has been gradually restoring it and searching for new uses for its historic halls. A ceremonial hall with restored antique frescoes is already open, and the building now houses the town library and a club for senior citizens. Future plans include a gallery, a museum, a multipurpose hall and other public spaces.

How to Get Inside

There are no regular guided tours of the castle — its interiors can mainly be seen during specific cultural and community events. Traditional town festivities, concerts, festivals and other events are regularly held on the castle grounds, so it's worth keeping an eye on the schedule separately.

Read also: 6 Prague Cemeteries Where History and Art Matter More Than Mourning: A Guide to Necropolis-Museums

Source: kudyznudy.cz