Castles and chateaux

The Czech lands boast an extraordinarily high number of cultural monuments. Over 2,000 preserved castles and chateaux represent an important part of the national cultural heritage, both in terms of their number and in terms of their historical and artistic value; their significance transcends national borders, and more than a few of these structures are important even in the global cultural context. Nowadays, most Czech castles and chateaux are owned by the state, even though many were returned to their original owners, whether aristocratic families or church institutions. These old-new owners have kept their property open to the public, frequently restoring the buildings to their original appearance. Publicly accessible castles and chateaux are a testament to the high level of onetime builders’ art and often come equipped with a wealth of artistic treasures. Their interior furnishings are complemented by valuable collections of pictures, weaponry, porcelain, glass, and fine crafts. Nearly 60 castles, chateaux and castle ruins are currently listed in the Register of National Cultural Monuments; several are included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites.