Nachod castle

Historical information

Hron of Náchod founded the castle in the mid of 13th century. It consisted of a cylindrical tower and a palace, typical of the bergfried type. In 1544 Zikmund Smiricky bought the domain in 1544 and rebuilt the castle in the Renaissance style. When Ottavio Piccolomini got the herrschaft of Náchod in 1634, he had the castle renovated in the Baroque style to the design of architeects Carlo Lurago and Giovanni Battista Pieroni. The castle was damaged by Swedish artillery during a brief siege in 1639. As a result, its fortifications were boosted.

In 1721 a storm damaged the main castle tower and this was an opportunity to initiate another renovation. In 1751 A granary was built in 1751 and a French garden was arranged over the moat. A theatre was built in the Baroque fortifications in the 1790s, when drama and music functions were staged there four times a week.

The castle served as military hospital.during the brief Austro-Prussian War in 1866. It hosts a museum today. Its exhibits include interesting collections from Prince Ottavio Piccolomini's time (e.g. tapestries). Other sights include Gothic cellars and the observation tower.