Zbiroh Castle

Zbiroh Castle is located in the municipality of Zbiroh in the Czech Republic. It was established in the early 13th century by Bohemian nobility during the medieval period, making it one of the oldest noble castles in Bohemia.

The origins of the castle trace back to the second quarter of the 13th century, with the earliest indirect reference appearing around 1230, connected to the Sulislavic family. The castle’s founder is generally identified as Břetislav of Zbiroh, mentioned in records from 1247. Throughout the Middle Ages, the castle changed hands among several influential noble families and rulers. It was held by dukes such as the Drslavici, came briefly under King Přemysl Otakar II, and later became the property of the powerful Rožmberk family. In the early 15th century, the castle belonged to King Sigismund (known locally as Zikmund) before passing to the Kolovrat family.

During the turbulent 15th century, Zbiroh Castle was the site of a notable religious event in 1469, when Hanuš II of Kolovrat proclaimed a church curse against King George of Poděbrady within its chapel. This act underscored the castle’s role in the region’s religious and political conflicts during the Hussite Wars and the shifting balance of power in Bohemia.

The castle suffered significantly during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century when Swedish troops captured and burned it. Afterwards, it took on a new function as a royal prison. Six Czech nobles were detained here after the Battle of White Mountain (1620) and faced pressure to convert to Catholicism, reflecting the era’s intense religious struggles.

Later in the 16th century, Emperor Rudolf II acquired Zbiroh and transformed the medieval fortress into a Renaissance chateau. He added an extensive park and created one of the largest game reserves in the region. This renovation expanded the castle to include 224 rooms, marking it as one of the grandest residences in Bohemia.

In the late 19th century, the castle found a new owner in Baron Bethel Heinrich Strousberg, a German industrialist who purchased it in 1868. Between 1869 and 1870, architect August Orth carried out an extensive Neo-Renaissance reconstruction. However, following Strousberg’s bankruptcy, the castle was acquired in 1879 by the aristocratic Colloredo-Mansfeld family.

From 1912 to 1928, the famous Czech painter Alfons Mucha lived in the eastern wing of Zbiroh Castle. There he created the monumental Slav Epic series, painting in a spacious hall covered by a glass roof that provided abundant natural light. During this period, Mucha also hosted gatherings of Freemasons from various countries, using the castle as a meeting place.

World War II brought a militarized chapter to Zbiroh’s history. Between 1943 and 1945, the castle served as headquarters for the Nazi SS staff. Members of the SS conducted mystical rituals in the cellar beneath the so-called hermitage, drawn by legends of a mysterious earth energy emanating from a fissure in the rock.

After the war, ownership passed to the Czechoslovak state. The castle was repurposed for military use and became a secretive monitoring station. Its position atop silicified sandstone rock, which naturally amplified radio signals, made it an ideal location for radiotechnical detectors that observed NATO aircraft movements during the Cold War. Unfortunately, military occupation caused damage to the structure, including the room where Mucha had lived.

The army vacated the premises starting in 1997. In the early 21st century, the castle was acquired by a private company and opened to the public. It now serves multiple functions, integrating hospitality with cultural preservation. Exhibitions showcase history spanning from the Přemyslid dynasty through to the Art Nouveau period, including displays dedicated to Mucha’s artistic and Masonic involvement. The vast hall that hosted the creation of the Slav Epic now supports concerts and exhibitions.

The grounds include one of the highest vineyards in the Czech Republic, situated at 550 meters above sea level. This vineyard dates back to Emperor Rudolf II’s era and was restored in 2018 following destruction during military occupancy. Moreover, the castle today also acts as the seat of the Sovereign Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, linking it to contemporary chivalric traditions.