During World War Two, many of the country’s chateaus and castles were taken over by the Nazi regime. They were primarily used for training, hosting significant military members, and as fortresses. Later, in 1948, the communist party required thousands of citizens to turn over their privately owned estates to the state. They were again repurposed for the benefit of the reigning regime, as they were often used as armories or military academies.
As the Czech Republic now navigates their independence, they have turned the castles and chateaus into public resources for education and entertainment. Not only do all the properties open themselves up for tours regularly, but they also host educational, cultural and children’s events. The properties are now often the heart of many small towns and bring communities of locals and tourists together.
While all the castles are quite architecturally diverse, they do often share some structural commonalities. On a castle tour you’ll generally see quite a few luxurious bedrooms, a massive kitchen equipped to handle a feast, gorgeous gardens and even sometimes a torture chamber. The castles display an extensive amount of history, with archives and property ranging from medieval times to the Cold War.
