Strolling through the snow-white facade of Hluboká Castle feels like stepping into a fairytale that somehow landed in the heart of South Bohemia. This Czech gem might be the closest you’ll get to visiting Windsor Castle without booking a flight to England – and some visitors swear the copy might outshine the original.
The Windsor of Central Europe
Rising majestically above the Vltava River, Hluboká Castle stands as one of the most photogenic châteaus in the Czech Republic. Its current Neo-Gothic appearance, complete with 11 towers and brilliant white walls, resulted from an ambitious 19th-century reconstruction when Prince Jan Adolf II Schwarzenberg and his wife decided to remodel their home after visits to Windsor Castle in England.
Eight centuries of architectural evolution
While today’s romantic silhouette dates to the 1840-1871 renovation, Hluboká’s story begins in the 13th century as a humble guard fortress. The castle changed hands numerous times before the Schwarzenberg family acquired it in 1661, transforming it from Renaissance to Baroque and finally to the Neo-Gothic masterpiece we see today.
“Each stone here tells a story of Czech nobility’s ambitions and dreams,” explains Martina, a local tour guide. “The Schwarzenbergs wanted to create their own Windsor, but with a distinctly Bohemian soul.”
140 rooms of opulence
Inside, the castle boasts 140 sumptuously decorated rooms filled with priceless paintings, intricate woodcarvings, and Flemish tapestries. The armory collection rivals many museums, while the library houses thousands of historic volumes. Unlike many European castles that feel like hollow museums, Hluboká retains the lived-in atmosphere of an aristocratic residence.
The English park that rivals the castle
While the château steals the spotlight, the surrounding English-style park deserves equal attention. Sprawling green lawns, centuries-old trees, and carefully designed landscapes create a perfect setting for the white castle. In autumn, the golden foliage creates a magical contrast against the pale façade – a photographer’s dream come true.
Beyond the main tour
Most visitors stick to the representative rooms tour, but insiders know to ask for the kitchen tour, where 19th-century copper pots and cooking implements reveal the behind-the-scenes workings of castle life. For panoramic views that rival those of South American mountaintops, climb the 245 steps of the castle tower.
Winter magic without the crowds
While summer brings tour buses, winter transforms Hluboká into a serene wonderland. Snow-dusted towers against crisp blue skies create scenes reminiscent of Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes. The basic tour remains open year-round, offering a more intimate experience than the crowded summer months.
The art treasures of Aleš Gallery
The former riding hall houses the Aleš South Bohemian Gallery, displaying Gothic art and Dutch masters. This lesser-known treasure offers artistic riches that many tourists miss while chasing more famous attractions, much like Richard the Lionheart’s tomb in France.
“Our castle combines England’s grand architecture with Bohemia’s artistic soul,” says Josef, a longtime castle employee. “The gallery showcases this unique cultural fusion that makes Hluboká special.”
A day trip from České Budějovice
Just 10 kilometers from České Budějovice (home of the original Budweiser beer), Hluboká makes for an easy day trip. Many visitors combine both destinations, enjoying the castle in the morning and the historic city center with its breweries in the afternoon – a perfect blend of culture and culinary delight that rivals Thailand’s cultural capitals.
Catching the perfect light
Photographers swear by the golden hour at Hluboká, when sunrise or sunset bathes the white walls in warm amber light. For a postcard-perfect shot, position yourself in the park with the castle reflected in one of the small ponds – a scene offering 365 days of different moods throughout the changing seasons.
As the sun sets behind Hluboká’s towers, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns, you might find yourself planning a return trip before you’ve even left. Windsor Castle may have inspired this Bohemian château, but Hluboká has developed a romantic identity entirely its own – a white fairy tale rising from South Bohemia’s gentle landscape.