DATE OF VISIT: 15th February 2024
COMMENTS:
ĆERVENÁ LHOTA (Village and Castle)
Červená Lhota Castle/ Zamek Červená Lhota variously described as a castle or a chateau, is in the village of Červená Lhota. The village lies approximately 125km (travelling time approximately 2 hours by car) from Prague; 35km (travelling time approximately 30 minutes by car), from Tábor; and 52,5km (37 minutes by car) from České Budějovice. The chateau stands on a rocky outcrop on one end of a lake.
PLEASE NOTE: at the time of my visit (15th February 2024), there was no water in the lake. On speaking to someone who lives in the village, I discovered that the lake is drained due to a problem with a dam higher upstream which is currently under repair. It is anticipated that the lake will "re-appear" in 2025. I would recommend that if you intend to visit Červená Lhota then you should make an enquiry as to whether the lake has been re-filled. I can only imagine from photos on the Červená Lhota website (https://zamek-cervenalhota.cz/en), that a full lake completely transforms the area. As you can see from my photos attached, an empty lake does not enhance the chateau or the area and it was even more dismal with the day being very overcast.
The existence of an original fortress on the site of today's château is assumed from sometime around the middle of the 14th century. It was built on a rocky granite outcrop, which, after the damming of a stream and the filling up of a lake, became an island.
The first recorded entry of the existence of a structure, is a land record dated from 1465 when the property was divided between two inheritors following the passing of the owner, Ctibor of Zásmuk.
In 1597 it was sold to Vilém Růt of Dírná who had the building renovated in red plaster from where it acquired its name: Červená Lhota.
During the course of its history, the chateau passed through various owners including being owned and inhabited by various aristocrats the final owner being Josef Alexander von Schönburg-Hartenstein who died in 1937 just prior to the second world war.
In 1946, the property was seized by the Czechoslovak state, establishing it as a children's home.In 1947 the chateau was granted to the National Culture Commission, and in 1949, the chateau was opened to the public.
At the time of my visit the chateau was closed and under repair and as mentioned previously, the lake on which the chateau stands will not be re-filled until 2025. The opening times of the chateau are as follows (please also refer to https://zamek-cervenalhota.cz/en):
- Months of April and October - Tuesday thru' Friday 09h30 - 12h00 and Saturday & Sunday 13h00 - 16h00
- Months of May and September - Tuesday thru' Sunday 09h30 - 12h00 & 13h00 - 16h00
- Months of June, July and August - Tuesday thru' Sunday 09h30 - 12h00 & 13h00 - 16h00
The village of Červená Lhota is pretty and will be even more so in the summer sun and with the lake full!
CHAPEL OF THE HOLY TRINITY
You can read about the full history of the chapel on the following link: https://zamek-cervenalhota.cz/en/chapel-of-the-holy-trinity.
The chapel was originally founded as a private chapel and it is estimated that it was built around 1550. What is known is that the owner of the chateau, Jan Kába, buried five of his relatives in the chapel in 1557.
PLACES TO SEE
- Červená Lhota Chateau
- Chapel of the Holy Trinity
- Walking in the woods surrounding the village of Červená Lhota
- The village of Červená Lhota
PLACES TO EAT
At the time of my visit, everything was closed, however, immediately opposite the chateau, (having crossed the bridge connecting the chateau to the mainland), there is a very nice looking pub/bistro for coffee, wine, beer snacks etc. I can imagine that it is a very nice place to sit and eat on a warm summer's day.
OTHER INFORMATION
There is a well appointed car park a short walking distance from the chateau at a cost of Kč70 per hour with the entry fee to the chateau ranging from Kč160 to Kč200 depending upon age.
My advice about visiting Červená Lhota Chateau is that it is the kind of place that you would visit if you are en route and passing fairly close by the location. Or perhaps if you combined the visit together with other visits in the area.
Finally, the easiest way to visit Červená Lhota Chateau is by car or through an organised tour. If you are driving and using a SatNav, please ensure that you use the postcode and name as shown below:
Červená Lhota state chateau
Červená Lhota 1
378 21 Kardašova Řečice
I did not do this and ended up in another village of the same name, 85Kms away! Please see the screen shot from Google Maps to give you some idea of the location.
Finally, when the lake is full and it is summer, I can recommend visiting this chateau.
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