*A visit to Častolovice to see the Sternberg and Kinský family chateaux: 4 km*
- The Sternberg family chateau at Častolovice is a real jewel of East Bohemia. Visit the Renaissance chateau and park & mini zoo and then perhaps take the short walk also to visit the nearby Empire-style Kinský chateau.
- Častolovice castle has a history dating back to the 13th century and owners who have included the Hussite king, Jiři z Poděbrady and the Habsburg emperor, Rudolf II. In 1694, Častolovice was purchased by Adolf Vratislav of Sternberg, the highest burgrave of the kingdom. The chateau remained in the Sternberg family ownership until confiscation by the Nazis in 1940 and then again under the Communist regime in 1948.
- In 1992, Častolovice was returned, under the restitution process, to Diana Phipps Sternbergová, who then devoted herself to the renovation of the chateau and parkland. The result is a wonderful destination to visit in the Hradec Králové region during the spring and summer months. There is an excellent mini yoo and a freely accessible deer park, with some friendly deer.
- Although the trip to see Častolovice chateau and park is definitely worthwhile as a standalone trip, it is possible to easily combine Častolovice with a visit to Nový Zámek in Kostelec nad Orlicí, less than 2 km down the road. This Empire-style building was constructed by Count Josef Kinský in the early 19th century and, like Častolovice, restituted to the family in 1992. Nový Zámek also has a fine English park with a wide variety of mature trees.
- It is possible to walk along the main road between the two chateau (there is a pavement) but the nicer route is to follow the cycle track beside the railway and then cut under the rail line on a woodland footpath (which is signposted to the chateau). For refreshments, both Častolovice and Nový Zámek have excellent café-restaurants that are worth checking out.
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Directions
- Častolovice is on a regional train line from Hradec Králové. For drivers, there are two paid parking areas next to the chateau
- After touring to chateau gardens and park area, join the GREEN hiking trail towards Kostalec and after 900m take the side path under the railway bridge (signposted zámek-chateau)
- Return back the same way or along the road
