Jemniste - New Chateau

Jemniste (Jemniště) is a small village in Central Bohemia between Vlasim (Vlašim) and Benesov (Benešov), about 40 Km south-east from Prague. It was first mentioned in 1381 as a property of Beneš of Cimburk.

Count František Adam of Trauttmansdorff bought Jemniste in 1717 and built a new chateau there in 1724 at a hillock near the old castle. The plans of the chateau was designed by the Czech architect František Maxmilián Kaňka.

The Jemniště chateau is owned by the Sternbergs family and you can read more about its history on its home page.

The photo was taken in January 2006.

Tags: Jemniste, Bohemia, Czech Republic, chateau, baroque, architecture, Kanka

Pirkstejn

Pirkštejn (Pirkenstein) castle was established in the 1st half of the 14th century by Jindrich from Lipa. It was damaged during peasant revolt in 1627 and later was rebuilt as a clergyman's house and a bell tower by Count Kinski.

Photos

The photo above shows the castle's tower and its western wall. The photo below shows the castle from south-east. Both photos were taken in March 2008.

How to get there

The Pirkstejn Castle is located in a small town of Rataje nad Sázavou in Central Bohemia, about 40 Km south-east of Prague. You can get there by train from Prague (across Čerčany) or from Světlá nad Sázavou. The train ride along the Sázava river is quite long (2 hours) but beautiful.

Being in Pirkštejn, you should visit Český Šternberk as well -- it's located about 7 Km from Rataje on the same railroad.

Tags: Pirkstejn, Pirkenstein, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, gothic, architecture

Ricany Castle

Ricany is a small town on the sousth-eastern edge of Prague. The Gothic castle was established here in the late 13th century by Ondrej from Vsechromy, who then adopted the name "from Ricany". Lords from Ricany held the castle till 1420, when it was won by Hussites and became the property of the Prague towns. Since 16th century the castle was desolate and now only ruins remain.

The photo was taken in December 2006.

Tags: Ricany, Bohemia, Czech Republic, castle, gothic, architecture, Hussites