Český Šternberk Castle

Český Šternberk Castle is one of the oldest castles in Bohemia and is still owned by the Sternberg family, who founded it in 1241. The castle retains its external Gothic form, but the interiors were transformed into a chateau in early Baroque reconstruction.

In 1241, Zdeslav from the lordly family of Divišovci founded an early Gothic castle above the river Sázava and named it “Šternberk”. The name of one of the first stone castles in Bohemia was derived by its founder from the coat of arms of the Divišov family, a golden eight-pointed star, and the contemporary fashion of Germanicizing names (Stern = star, Berg = mountain).

The medieval form of the early Gothic castle is hidden in the core of today’s building, which was created by several modifications. The building development ranges from late Gothic reconstructions perfecting the defense system, to lavish early Baroque interior modifications for the purposes of comfortable living. At the beginning of the 20th century, the castle was modified again to meet modern living requirements, a water supply system was built , the castle was electrifiedand in the 1930s still equipped with central heating. Český Šternberk ranks among the  best-preserved castle complexes in the Czech Republic.
 
Tour route
The castle has one tour route, which is located on the second floor of the castle and includes 15 richly furnished rooms. You will begin the tour in the largest castle room, the Knight’s Hall, where you will see, among other things, the rich early Baroque stucco decoration with the alliance coats of arms of the Sternberg family. This is followed by smaller salons, a library, and a large dining room, which today serves as a family gallery. Next, you will look into the study of Jiří Sternberg, the father of the current owner, or into the room dedicated to the co-founder of the National Museum, Kašpar Mario Sternberg. During the entire tour, you will be accompanied by a unique collection of graphic sheets from the period of the Thirty Years’ War, which numbers 545 pieces and is therefore the largest collection of this kind in Central Europe.

Famine
In addition to the castle exhibition, tourists can visit the southern forward bastion, the so-called “famine”. The bastion is part of a sophisticated fortification system that was built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The massive tower has a sharp edge that was designed to deflect enemy missiles to the sides. The space on the upper floor of the tower, accessible via a spiral staircase, shows an ingenious arrangement of embrasures intended for firing from light guns. A square opening in the floor opens into a high, dark ground floor that served as a powder room and storeroom for the tower’s crew. The area around the main tower is protected by a massive horseshoe-shaped perimeter wall with embrasures, of which only the torso has been preserved from the frontal part.

This bastion is one of the best-preserved objects of Late Gothic fortification construction, and its importance in the genesis of Central European fortifications of the 15th century goes beyond Bohemia.

Operator

Český Šternberk Castle
Český Šternberk 1
257 26 Český Šternberk

Tel.: +420 317 855 101

E-mail: info@hradceskyste…

Facebook: https://www.faceb…

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WWW: www.hradceskyster…

GPS: 49.809400 14.928500

Region: Central Bohemian Region
Region: They are betting
Tips for a trip: Český Šternberk and surroundings

Opening hours

January – March
1.1. – 31.3.
Monday – Friday CLOSED
Saturday Sunday 11:00 – 12:00
14:00 – 15:00

April
1.4. – 30.4.
Monday – Friday CLOSED
Saturday Sunday 09:00 – 17:00

May
1.5. – 31.5.
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday – Sunday 09:00 – 17:00

June
1.6. – 30.6.
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday Sunday 09:00 – 18:00

July – August
1.7. – 31.8.
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday – Sunday 09:00 – 18:00

September
1.9. – 30.9.
Monday CLOSED
Tuesday – Sunday 09:00 – 17:00

October
1.10. – 31.10.
Monday – Friday CLOSED
Saturday Sunday 09:00 – 17:00

November
1.11. – 30.11.
Monday – Friday CLOSED
Saturday Sunday 11:00 – 12:00
14:00 – 15:00

December
1.12. – 21.12.
Monday – Friday CLOSED
Saturday Sunday 10:00 – 16:00
Note: 
* The last tour leaves one hour before closing time. * In the off-season, i.e. from November to March, it is necessary to secure tickets in advance (online sale, reservation). * By appointment, the castle is open all year round (except 22-26 December).

Admission Fees Avarage

• Price:  170 CZK
• Reduced price:  120 CZK
• Family entrance fee:  CZK 460

Duration

1-3 Hours