Pacov Castle and Monastery

The Castle and monastery in Pacov, located in the municipality of Pacov in the Czech Republic, was originally constructed during the medieval period by local ruling families. Its beginnings trace back to the 13th century, when a fortress known as a tvrz stood on the site. The first written record of this stronghold dates to 1316, naming Oldřich z Pacova as its resident.

Throughout the 14th century, the fortress changed hands among noble families and rulers, including Jan Lucemburský (John of Luxembourg), who in 1345 pledged the property to Petr II. of Rožmberk. The early 15th century marked a significant transformation as the Malovec family acquired the fortress in 1401 and converted it into a castle, enhancing its stature and function. This family maintained ownership until their lineage ended in 1515, after which the estate was passed through several different owners, such as Václav Robmháp ze Suché in 1528 and Oldřich Španovský z Lisova in 1550.

In 1616, Anastazie Vítová ze Rzavého became the owner, but political turmoil soon affected the estate. Due to her involvement in the Bohemian Revolt, the property was confiscated in 1622. It then had various proprietors until General Zikmund Myslík z Hiršova took ownership in 1643. After his passing, his widow managed the estate before donating it to the Carmelite monastery located in Prague’s Malá Strana district.

During the early 18th century, the Carmelites transformed the medieval castle into a Baroque monastery, completing the Church of St. Wenceslaus within the complex in 1719. The monastic community had settled there by 1708. However, the monastery’s religious function ended when Emperor Joseph II dissolved it in 1787, after which the property was incorporated into the imperial religious fund.

The 19th century saw the estate return to secular hands. In 1835, it was owned by Maximilián Bedřich Gudenus and Otýlie z Mirbachu, and shortly afterward, in 1844, it passed to the princely family Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg. During the 1870s, Adolf Weiss acquired the property. Notably, the poet Antonín Sova was born in the castle’s eastern wing in 1864, linking the site to Czech cultural history.

Following World War II, the castle served as a military garrison from 1947 until 1992. The town of Pacov bought the estate in 1997, and since then it has been restored and adapted for civic use.