Chrast Château

The original fortress that was subsequently converted into a renaissance château at the start of the 17^th century is located in the centre of the town of Chrast. Its current appearance is the result of extensive baroque renovations undertaken in the mid-18^th century and bears the hallmarks of the great architect Santini.

For a full 3 centuries, i.e. from the mid-17^th century to the mid-20^th century, the château was the summer residence of the bishops of Hradec Králové and for some of them it was even a permanent residence. It remained episcopal property up until 1950, when it fell under state administration. Nowadays, it is home to the Municipal Authority and the Municipal Museum. In addition to administrative premises, the château also provides the town with areas for exhibitions on the history of the region ranging from prehistoric settlement to (not so) recently disappeared crafts.

The château is accessible from the square. Its irregular courtyard is dominated by the Chapel of Saint John of Nepomuk with its wooden spire. Visitors can view the chapel and the representative halls. The entry to the wonderful château gardens, which are the pride of the town, is located in the passage under the tower. Created in the French style, the gardens are a freely accessible park full of rare flower and tree species and a unique collection of original roses. They are connected to a long tree-lined avenue with linden and chestnut trees, along which a hiking trail leads all the way to Podlažice, to the mythical Church of Saint Margaret. The Chrast Château and its gardens are a popular venue for weddings and cultural events.