A conversation with Napoleon, a golden treasure, and previously hidden places. These are some of the highlights that the 2026 season brings to castles and châteaux in Czechia. Popular historic sites across Czechia are opening previously inaccessible areas, expanding their tour routes, and introducing modern exhibitions. From blooming gardens in Český Krumlov through medieval Bečov with its golden treasure to an interactive encounter with Napoleon, visitors can look forward to experiencing history in a new, immersive way.
Castles and Châteaux: Experiences in Czechia
Castles and châteaux in Czechia have entered the 2026 season with an exceptionally rich offer of dozens of new features that take the visitor experience to an entirely new level. Previously hidden areas are increasingly being opened to visitors, new routes are being created, and exhibitions make use of modern technologies. And for the record: Czechia is among the countries with the highest concentration of castles and châteaux in the world – there are more than 2,000 of them across the territory of the Czech Republic.
Among the biggest attractions in Czechia are:
- an interactive exhibition in Slavkov u Brna (Austerlitz), in which
“Napoleon speaks” - new organs with glass elements by Lasvit at
Prague Castle - newly opened areas in Bečov nad Teplou, where the Reliquary of St. Maurus was discovered – one of the greatest golden treasures in the Czech Republic
Slavkov u Brna Château: Meeting Napoleon Thanks to AI
At the château in Slavkov u Brna, not far from the second-largest city in Czechia, visitors can enjoy a unique experience and literally “have a conversation with Napoleon”, thanks to artificial intelligence. The interactive exhibition presents the personality of the famous military leader Napoleon Bonaparte as well as the events of the Battle of Austerlitz on 2 December 1805. The virtual Napoleon answers visitors’ questions, explains the course of the battle, and brings his story to life!
Český Krumlov: A New Route in the Château Garden
Another highlight of 2026 is a new tour route in the château garden in Český Krumlov, a town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearly one-kilometre-long trail opens up previously hidden parts of the gardens, viewpoints, and the technical facilities of the complex.
Castle and Château Night 2026 will take place on Saturday, 22 August 2026 and is among the most attractive cultural events in Czechia. Castles, châteaux, and historic sites across the country are transformed for one night into places full of lights, stories, and a unique atmosphere.
Bečov nad Teplou: The Place Where the Reliquary of St. Maurus Was Discovered
An exceptional highlight is the opening of the castle and château complex in Bečov nad Teplou, which offers visitors insight into the earliest history of the site as well as the famous Reliquary of St. Maurus – one of the most valuable movable heritage objects in Czechia. The new tour routes present not only the treasure itself but also the story of its discovery, near the renowned West Bohemian spa triangle.
Prague Castle: Glass Organs by Lasvit
The new developments also extend to Prague. New organs have been installed in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. They were created in cooperation with the world-renowned glassmaking studio Lasvit. This unique instrument combines music with contemporary glass art – the glass elements work with light and give the organs a striking visual effect.
More News Across Czechia:
- Křivoklát Castle: new exhibitions
- Libochovice Château: additional areas opened to the public
- Drábské světničky: a safer visitor route
- Bučovice Château: access to the attic and tower with a historic clock mechanism
- Sychrov Château: archive opened to the public
- Litomyšl Château: a new route focused on the history of the château theatre
- Plasy Monastery: opening of Santini’s pavilion and restoration of the clock tower route
- Duchcov Château: new routes telling the story of Giacomo Casanova
- Rose Garden in Děčín: historic varieties of roses, Baroque fountains and newly opened terraces create the atmosphere of a romantic garden.
Horšovský Týn Château: The Story of Countess Mitsuko
The project “In the Footsteps of Noble Families” focuses on the transformation of travel in the so-called long 19th century, when the development of railways, steam navigation and later motoring fundamentally changed the way the aristocracy travelled. The nobility gradually became modern tourists, and their travel experiences were reflected in their lifestyle as well as in the appearance of château interiors. One of the main attractions in Czechia is the château in Horšovský Týn with the restored “Mitsuko” route. It presents the story of Mitsuko Aoyama, later Countess Coudenhove-Kalergi, who became a prominent figure of European aristocracy and a symbol of the connection between Japanese and European culture.
Private Castles and Châteaux Days, offering special guided tours with the owners, concerts, and access to otherwise closed, often private interiors. The event is scheduled for May 22–24, 2026, during which eighteen privately owned heritage sites across Czechia will open their gates. Participating venues include the châteaux of Lobkovice, Blatná, Palupín, Hrádek u Sušice, Chyše, Stránov, Karlova Koruna, Neustupov, Všechovice, Štáblovice, Vilémov, Líšno, Dobříš, and Žinkovy; the castle and château in Dolní Kounice; and the castles of Houska, Děvičky, and Kost.
