The Opočno Château

Opočno Chateau embarked on its journey across the centuries in the 14^th century, when the Drslavic family built a Gothic castle here on the site of the original wooden fortress. The wealthy House of Trčka of Lípa made Opočno the centre of their vast estate and Vilém Trčka launched a very expensive Renaissance reconstruction according to the Northern Italian models in 1560. In the 17^th century, the chateau was acquired by the Italian House of Colloredo, or Colloredo-Mansfeld later respectively, who owned it until World War II. Opočno is a state-owned chateau at present. In addition to the magnificent historic interiors, you can also explore the African and Native American collections in the Ethnographic Hall, some 10,000 volumes in the Chateau Library, including one of the well-known early incunabula dating from 1493, and a huge Colloredo-Mansfeld collection of works of art in the local picture gallery executed prevailingly by Italian and Dutch authors. The extensive collection of historical weapons and armour certainly cannot be neglected either, as it ranks among the most important ones in the country. You can also check the hunting and oriental showpieces accompanied by the narrative supplied by an erudite guide. The chateau park in the valley of the Zlatý potok (Golden Creek) proves ideal for walking and exploring the rare species of trees growing here. Ascend the opposite slope, too, from which you will be able to enjoy some marvellous views of the chateau and the town surrounding it. Lovers of birds of prey should not forget to visit Opočno every year in October, when falconers traditionally meet here.