Hluboká Castle is a historic château situated in Hluboká nad Vltavou, a town lies on both banks of Vltava river. Hluboká Castle is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic. Hluboká Castle is considered one of the most beautiful, most famous and most frequently visited castles in the Czech Republic. As of 2019, it was the 3rd most visited castle in the country with 293,000 visitors.

Hluboká Castle is located about 12 km north of České Budějovice (about 15 minutes by car) and about 145km south of Prague (about 2 hours by car)

Hluboká Castle was erected in Neo-Gothic style. The first building that was built here was a 13th-century fortress. The present shape owes its renaissance from the nineteenth century, when it was modeled on the castle of Windsor. Today you can visit 140 chambers, admiring a rich collection of antique furniture, furniture and paintings.

Visitors can see, for example, a small and large dining room, a smoker's lounge, a morning lounge, a library and an armory. A major attraction is the castle kitchen with original decor. Authentic equipment and equipment were used until the 1940s. Visitors can also climb the 50-meter tower to enjoy the panoramic view of the area.

The ceilings and walls of the chambers were lined with precious wood, richly carved. In several halls, paintings of European masters, from the 18th century, portraits of the Schwarzenber family (castle owners) and Delft ceramics were exposed.

Originally a royal castle on a promontory above the Vltava River, after many changes in 1661 became the property of the Schwarzenberg family. The current appearance of the chateau complex, including the park and the surrounding landscape, was inspired by the trips of Prince Jan Adolf II. Schwarzenberg to Great Britain, who as a representative of an important and wealthy family participated the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. As an honorary diplomat of the Habsburg monarchy, he traveled to the coronation with his wife, Princess Eleonora, who greatly influenced castle appearance. Hluboká soon became the seat of the Schwarzenberg family.

The chateau itself was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the first third of the 18th century and maintained its appearance until the romantic reconstruction in the mid-19th century. The inspiration for the reconstruction of the chateau was mainly the royal castle Windsdor.

In 1947 the chateau was nationalized pursuant to a special law (Lex Schwarzenberg). At present, Hluboká Chateau is administered by the National Monument Institute.

The walls and ceilings of the interiors are richly decorated with woodcarvings and noble wood. Some rooms are decorated with paintings by 16th-18th century European masters, chandeliers, stained glass and pottery from Delft. The portraits on the walls depict the most important members of the Schwarzenberg family. Private rooms of the last owners of Hluboká, Prince Adolf and his wife Hilda are also accessible. In the basement of the chateau there is a chateau kitchen with a personal and dining elevator from the beginning of the 20th century.

Opening hours:

• November - March: 10:00-12:00 12:30-16:00 daily except Monday
• April, September, October: 9:00-12:00 12:30-16:30 daily except Monday
• May, June: 9:00-17:00 daily except Monday
• July, August: 9:00-17:00 daily

Admission: -Adults 25-65 years: 210 CZK

• Seniors 65+, Youth 18-25 years, Persons with disabilities with valid identification card/certificate: 170 CZK
• Children 6-18 years: 110 CZK