Švihov Water Castle – a gem worth seeing up close

One of the most massive fortifications in Bohemia is the water castle Švihov near Klatov. Throughout the tourist season, the castle lives not only with tours, but also with countless accompanying events.

During the summer, swordsmen perform here, concerts, art exhibitions and theater performances take place. Here you can also ride on a punt around the moat of the castle . The castle was built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries on the site of a former fortress with the participation of the well-known builder Benedikt Rejt. Švihov with its fortification water system was one of the best fortresses of its time.

The first tour route “Castle” – life at a noble residence deals with the history of the castle and visitors visit the representative areas of the castle. The tour starts in the Red Bastion, continues through the entrance hall to the castle lady’s bedroom, visits the castle chapel, ballroom, banquet hall and ends in the armory. One of the best-preserved late Gothic interiors of the castle is the chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a fresco of St. George and a collection of Gothic sculptures, where it is possible to order a wedding ceremony.

The second tour route “Kitchen” (selection circuit) – as part of the second tour circuit, visitors will visit the operational and economic background of the castle. First, they look into the cellars of the southern palace to get an idea of ​​where perishables, milk and wine were stored. In the newly opened bread cellar, you can see the supplies for the production and storage of baked goods. Visitors will pass through the guardhouse to the governor’s office and then through the southeast fence to the black kitchen, where the tour ends.

On the water around the walls – boat rides
The individual sightseeing circuit shows the Švihov Castle from the water level of the adjacent moat. There are two boats with a capacity of 3 people (280 kg) with texts at 8 stops . Visiting the circuit is not possible in adverse weather conditions. On the way to the flood level, you will encounter the following stops: an embrasure, a walkway with an underpass, defensive bastions, a moat as a drive, water as a defensive element, the burgrave with Kašperka, the Úhlava river and a drawbridge.

Behind the secret of Cinderella’s slipper
The exhibition tour circuit dedicated to Cinderella and the filming of the famous film Three Nuts for Cinderella is located on four floors of the White Bastion, which can be accessed via a separate entrance directly from the large castle courtyard. The tour is independent, part of the exhibition is dedicated to children, who can walk through the exhibition with Rozárka the owl while completing various tasks and puzzles.

In the exhibition you will find Vinck on the way with the magic nuts , Cinderella by the stream, Cinderella in her cottage with the owl Rozárka, a scene from the competition for the best shooter, a view from the kitchen with a clumsy kitchen, a view into the living room with a lot of fabric for clothes, picking up peas in the ashes , a royal ball and an unforgettable final scene with a slipper, a ring…
 
A tower with a view of the Úhlava river valley
In Švihov, the castle tower with a view of the Úhlava river valley is accessible , and from the end of the 2018 season, a new third tour circuit will lead all interested parties into the secrets of the historic restoration of the castle. He will show them many preserved and hitherto unseen building elements of the tower. The third sightseeing circuit of the Věž therefore received installation content after several years of reconstruction of the tower. The installation introduces the visitor to the beginnings of the castle’s repairs in the middle of the 20th century, shows rare preserved interior elements, models provide an idea of ​​what the tower looked like in the castle’s heyday, and a section is also dedicated to the tower’s construction technology. The highest floor of the tower is dedicated to the view of the surroundings and an indication of the development of the settlement of the Švihov Valley from ancient times to the present.

Tour for children
The castle also offers a special tour for children. This sightseeing circuit is intended for parents with children from 4 to 10 years old. During the children’s tour, you will see the fence, the entrance hall, the castle lady’s bedroom, the armory, the kitchen and the cellars. Each child receives a coloring book with a filler, which they can actively use during the tour or even at home.

Travel without barriers
The castle also offers tours for the deaf, tours outside opening hours, didactic programs for school groups. These tours must be booked in advance.

For visitors with limited mobility , the castle is accessible by means of a virtual tour . Barrier-free access to the courtyard and to the outdoor refreshment area. It is possible to visit the exhibition hall, the ticket office and the ground floor of the castle with the help of a raid . Thanks to the platform, the hall in the storage room , where some cultural events are organized, is also accessible.

Operator

Švihov Water Castle

Address: Žižkova 1
340 12 Švihov
Tel.:+420 376 393 378E-mail:svihov@npu.czWWW:www.hradsvihov.cz

GPS:49.478936 13.285455
Region:Pilsen Region
City:Švihov

Opening hours

October