Clan Rising
Opočno Castle today

Czechia · Restored

Opočno Castle

Zámek Opočno

Opočno Castle is a complex of connected Renaissance and Baroque residence buildings on a wooded slope in the East Bohemian town of Opočno, Czech Republic. It grew from a medieval fortified site into a Renaissance palace noted for its outer arcades and retains a medieval round Well Tower; today it functions as a museum with historical interiors, galleries and a library.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1895

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1895

What Opočno Castle looked like in its prime.

Large compact complex of connected rectangular Renaissance and Baroque blocks rising above a wooded slope; facades painted warm rose-pink with pale stone quoins and a regular grid of tall rectangular windows; broad, steep hipped clay-tile roofs punctured by small dormers and chimneys; the southern wing shows Baroque pilasters and a slightly projecting chapel bay; an inner courtyard is ringed by two-level Renaissance arcades; the medieval round Well Tower survives as a standalone stone turret; setting: formal English garden and valley below.

Its story

The story of Opočno Castle.

Opočno Castle grew from a medieval fortified site into an aristocratic residence in the East Bohemian town of Opočno, its outer arcades a prized example of Renaissance architecture in Bohemia. In 1495 the domain was bought by the Trčka of Lípa family; Jan Rudolf Trčka built a summer pavilion overlooking the valley of the Zlatý potok in 1602 and founded a new garden around it.

The Trčka male line died out in 1634, when Adam Erdman Trčka was murdered alongside Albrecht of Wallenstein at Cheb and his father died the same year. Opočno was confiscated, and Emperor Ferdinand II allowed the Colloredo family to buy the property for 51,456 Rhenish guilders; in 1895 the family's exceptionally valuable and large painting gallery was brought to Opočno from Prague.

The Colloredo-Mansfelds opposed the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the castle was confiscated by Nazi Germany in 1942. After the war it passed to the Czechoslovak state, and the family's 1948 emigration under Communist rule barred its return; Czech courts ordered restitution in 2003 but reversed the decision for the castle and its collections in 2007, returning only the farmland. It now functions as a museum with historic interiors, galleries and a library.

Step inside

10 places to explore in 1895.

The record describes 10 distinct spots at Opočno Castle, including 6 interiors: inner courtyard with renaissance arcades, chapel of st. anne (southern wing), church of the holy trinity (family burial chapel) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Western approach over the valleyInner courtyard with Renaissance arcadesRound Well TowerSouthern wing façadeChapel of St. Anne (southern wing)Church of the Holy Trinity (family burial chapel)Family painting galleryArmoury and weapons displayLibrary roomEnglish garden and summer pavilion

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Whose castle

Clans who held Opočno Castle.

The families that held Opočno Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Trčka

    Held by the Trčka of Lípa family, 1495–1634.

  • Colloredo

    Permitted by Ferdinand II to buy the confiscated estate after 1634; the Colloredo-Mansfelds held Opočno until the Nazi confiscation of 1942.

Questions about Opočno Castle

What is the history of Opočno Castle?

Opočno Castle grew from a medieval fortified settlement into a Renaissance aristocratic residence and later acquired Baroque alterations. It was first mentioned in 1068, while Vilém Trčka of Lípa rebuilt the palace in Renaissance style between 1560 and 1567. After the Trčka family died out in 1634, the Colloredo family acquired the confiscated property; it became a museum after passing to state ownership after the Second World War.

What is inside Opočno Castle?

Inside Opočno Castle are historic interiors, Renaissance arcades and several collections. Visitors can see the Chapel of St Anne, the Church of the Holy Trinity, a family painting gallery, an armoury with weapons from the 16th to 19th centuries, and a library room. The inner courtyard is surrounded by two-level Renaissance arcades.

Who owns Opočno Castle now?

Opočno Castle is owned by the Czech Republic. It returned to state ownership in 2007 after a court decision reversed its restitution to the Colloredo-Mansfeld family. The castle has been a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1995.

Why was Opočno Castle built, and what was it used for?

Opočno Castle was originally a fortified settlement and castle, then became an aristocratic residence and Renaissance palace. Its Renaissance rebuilding created a grander residential complex with arcades, while later Baroque work altered the palace after a fire. It now functions as a museum with historic interiors, galleries and a library.

Was Opočno Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Opočno Castle was attacked and besieged during the Hussite conflicts. Jan Žižka unsuccessfully attempted to capture it in 1421, and Hussite forces led by Zikmund Korybutovič besieged it on 10 August 1422 but withdrew on 21 August without taking it. On 12 August 1425, the castle was conquered and damaged by the Orphans.

Which family or clan held Opočno Castle?

Opočno Castle was held by the Trčka of Lípa family from 1495 to 1634. After the estate was confiscated, Ferdinand II permitted the Colloredo family to buy it, and the Colloredo-Mansfelds held Opočno until the Nazi confiscation of 1942. The property later became state-owned.

What did Opočno Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Opočno Castle was a large compact complex of connected Renaissance and Baroque blocks above a wooded slope. Its warm rose-pink façades have pale stone quoins and tall rectangular windows, beneath steep hipped clay-tile roofs with dormers and chimneys. Two-level Renaissance arcades ring the inner courtyard, while the round medieval Well Tower survives separately.

Is Opočno Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Opočno Castle is still standing and has been restored. The surviving complex includes connected Renaissance and Baroque residence buildings, while the round Well Tower is the only surviving part of the original medieval castle. Its present appearance also reflects later rebuilding, including Renaissance work between 1560 and 1567 and Baroque alterations after a fire in the 1690s.

Can you visit Opočno Castle?

Opočno Castle is open to the public as a museum. It contains historic interiors, a gallery, a library, ethnographic collections and an armoury, and it is described as accessible to the public. It is also a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

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