Discover the beauty of Potštejn Castle

Potštejn Castle, located near Vamberk in eastern Bohemia, is a historical complex built in 1746 by Count Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamaré. It is a four-winged Baroque building with a mansard roof, surrounded by pillared arcades and a distinctive façade decorated with lysens and a tympanum with the builder's coat of arms. After a long period of neglect, the chateau was gradually restored from 2004 and reopened to the public in 2006. It now serves as a cultural and social centre, offering interior tours, exhibition galleries, a patisserie and an English-style castle park.

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6/22/20242 min read

Potštejn Castle, a majestic Baroque mansion in the village of the same name near Vamberk in eastern Bohemia, is an important architectural and cultural monument in this part of the country. Its history dates back to 1746, when the Potštejn estate was acquired by Count Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamaré. Before that, there was an older Potštejn Castle on the site, which is mentioned in the sources especially in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The castle itself was built by Jan Ludvík as a one-storey four-winged building with a high mansard roof. The building reflected the Baroque architectural trends of the time and was complemented by magnificent courtyard arcades and a distinctive buttress with the Alliance coat of arms and the year 1749. The original design of the chateau was by architect Josef Jäger, and despite several later modifications, the chateau remains an important example of Baroque architectural art in East Bohemia.

After the death of Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamari, the chateau was inherited by his son Jan Antonín and later by Jan Antonín the Younger. After World War II, on the basis of Benes' decrees, the chateau was confiscated and passed to the administration of the Revolutionary Trade Union Movement, which used it as a training centre. This era was unfortunately marked by the decay and devastation of the building, including the bricking up of the arcades in the courtyard and other architectural interventions.

After 1989, Potštejn Chateau was acquired by several private owners who sought to restore and preserve it. In 2004, the Nováček family became the owners and began extensive reconstruction work. The renovation included not only the restoration of the interior and exterior of the castle, but also the revitalization of the castle park, where the expert Dr. Větvička played an important role.

Today, Potštejn Castle is open to the public again as a cultural and historical centre. Visitors can see the reconstructed rooms of the castle, including the ceremonial hall with marble pilasters and the Holy Trinity Chapel with its rococo furnishings. In addition to guided tours, the chateau also offers various cultural and social events, such as exhibition galleries, concerts and the traditional Friday Salons, which have been restored by Mrs Nováčková.

Today, Potštejn Castle not only restores its history and architectural beauty, but also actively contributes to the cultural life and tourist attraction of the East Bohemia region. It is a place where the past and the present meet, offering visitors a unique insight into the history of this picturesque part of the Czech Republic.