Late summer – just like the chateau season – is in full swing, so do not hesitate and set out for a tour. The Karlovy Vary Region has several historical gems with well-preserved interiors. At these chateaus, you can turn into a king, queen, prince, or princess as if with the wave of a magic wand.
Chateau Ostrov nad Ohří
This chateau was formerly a castle reconstructed into a Renaissance chateau. During World War II, it was used as a concentration camp, and today, it is the seat of the Ostrov Town Hall and Information Centre. In the complex of several buildings, you will also find a museum where you will learn about the history of mining and about the everyday life of miners, as well as about the traditional crafts of the Ore Mountains and the work camps of the Jáchymov region. Part of the chateau is the Palace of Princes – an amazing historical building with rare frescoes. Today, you will find the Ostrov Municipal Library here, but you can enter without a library ticket. The chateau is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm, and during the holidays, the opening hours are one hour longer. You can visit the library from Monday to Saturday; on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, it is open from 9 am to 6 pm, on Tuesdays only from 9 am to 12 pm, on Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 11:30 am.
Chateau Bečov nad Teplou
You will find another amazing monument in the Teplá River valley – the Bečov nad Teplou chateau. This chateau protects the second most valuable monument in the Czech Republic – the Reliquary of St Maurus. The chateau has several tour circuits to choose from, so it is up to you whether you will visit the rare reliquary, the chateau interiors, or if you will complement your tours with viewing the secret corridor and adit carved out of the rocks. During the summer holidays, the chateau is open from Tuesday to Sunday, always from 9 am to 5 pm. The price of each circuit ranges from CZK 60 – 140 for adults and CZK 40 – 100 for children, students, and seniors.
Chateau Valeč
On the edge of the Doupovské mountains, you will find the town of Valeč, and in it the beautiful Baroque chateau that resulted in the reconstruction of a Gothic castle. The chateau is currently being reconstructed, but even so, you can visit and see the current state of the interiors. The chateau gardens are also worth seeing, as they rank among the most beautiful of its kind in the Czech Republic. Currently you can find a greenhouse with a dome, the blacksmith’s workshop, and the auditorium of the antique theatre. The park is accessible year-round, and admission is ex gratia.
Chateau Kynžvart
The precise date that the Chateau Kynžvart was established is not known, however, it was sometime between 1585 and 1597. This seat in the style of Viennese Classicism is one of the most beautiful chateaus in our country. The greatest attraction is the collection of former Austrian Chancellor, Prince Metternich. During the tour, you will see his office, the library of his son Richard, the billiards of the Russian tsar, the Great Hall with rare items, and the chateau dining room. The chateau also shelters the Museum and Curiosities Cabinet, where you can see, for example, samurai weapons and Egyptian mummies. During the summer holidays, the chateau is open from Tuesday to Sunday, always from 9 am to 5 pm. Basic admission costs CZK 120 for adults and CZK 80 for children. Children under six years of age have free admission
Chateau Chyše
This Neo-Gothic chateau is the pride of the small town of Chyše. It was recently reconstructed and offers a tour of the interiors, including the hall with the rare ceiling painting by Petr Brandl, a tour of the chateau cellars, or the exhibition dedicated to Karel Čapek, who spent some time here. The exhibition dedicated to Karel Čapek will inform you about his literary works, and you will learn much about his stay in the Karlovy Vary Region. Be sure not to miss the chateau library and the brewery. An extensive and rare park is also part of the chateau. This park is situated on nine hectares, and entices visitors with its beautiful nooks, a stream, a pond, and large numbers of various flora. In July and in August, the chateau is open from Tuesday to Sunday, always from 10 am to 6 pm. Adults pay CZK 90, and children only CZK 40.