Noble residences
Discover noble residences in the Orlické Mountains and the Orlické Foothills
Chateaux, castles, fortresses, and other noble residences in the Orlické Mountains and the Orlické Foothills tell of a time when this region was part of important historical events as well as the everyday life of the nobility. Their high concentration was aided by the rugged landscape, which led estate owners to build their defensive and later representative seats here. Many of them are open to the public. You will find historical exhibitions, museums, and galleries in them, as well as accommodation options or commercial use. Each of them tells the story of noble families and the changes in the landscape that surrounds them.
Opočno Castle
Opočno Castle, the landmark of the town of the same name and one of the most important Renaissance chateaux in the country. It will enchant you at first sight with its monumental arcaded courtyard, richly furnished interiors, and romantic setting above the valley of the Zlatý Brook. Its history reaches back to the 11th century, when a castle stood here, later rebuilt into a representative Renaissance seat of the Trčka of Lípa family. After its confiscation in the 17th century, Opočno passed into the hands of the Colloredo-Mannsfelds, who turned it into a splendid aristocratic residence with art collections of not only European significance.
Rychnov nad Kněžnou Castle
Rychnov nad Kněžnou Castle rises majestically on a hill above the town, overlooking the foothills of the Orlické Mountains. This splendid Baroque complex is among the most important monuments in Eastern Bohemia. Its history is inseparably linked with the Kolowrat-Krakowský family, whose members still reside here today. The building from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries combines the charm of Italian Baroque with Czech aristocratic tradition. The author of this unique architectural composition is the renowned architect Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel.
Letohrad Castle
The tranquillity that emanates from the Letohrad grounds will get under your skin before you even reach the courtyard. The elegant building is the town’s natural landmark. The early Baroque château was built between 1680 and 1685 on the site of the original Renaissance fortress. It was commissioned by Count Hynek Jindřich Vitanovský of Vlčkovice. In the 1990s, the château underwent an extensive reconstruction that gave it its present-day appearance.
