Hořovice Chateau

Hořovice is a small town about 20 km south of Beroun on the way to Plzen. It takes exactly one hour to get there by Train. It has a very large and impressive Baroque Chateau. The reason I went. Very ornate and impressive.

There was an old chateau here in Hořovice at the turn of the 13th century. Then later a gothic fortress and a castle. At the end of the 15th century, that fortress was rebuilt into a late gothic castle.

But, in 1639 the castle was burnt by the Swedish army and in 1648 it was rebuilt into a Chateau in its current baroque style by the Lords of Vrbno.

It has retained its classic appearance since the second half of the 19th century. A large park was created adjacent to the Chateau in the 18th century, which is dominated at the far end by an decorated “Sun” Gate. It is quite striking(but currently under refurbishment). A nice park, with huge old trees and many tree-lined paths but I noted signs everywhere saying do not walk on the grass! I thought that was what parks were for? Still very nice, and it did have many benches all around so people could sit and take in the beauty all around as well as todays fresh air. Another beautiful mid-70 degree day.