70+ magical venues open for Czechia's annual Castle and Chateau Night

This year, the Castle and Chateau Night returns on its traditional August date. On Saturday, Aug. 27, unconventional evening and night programs will take place across the country. In total, over 60 state monuments under the administration of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) and 16 objects outside the NPÚ administration are involved this year.

The main center for the 13th edition of Hradozámecká noc will be the chateau in Český Krumlov, which channels the spirit of baroque garden parties accompanied by live music, a parade, dancing, culinary treats, and a pyrotechnic show based on the legend of St. George.

In Prague, a free program will take place at Wallenstein Palace, the seat of the Czech Senate, and ticketed events will be at Invalidovna, Chvalský zámek, and the gardens under Prague Castle.

The Senate normally offers free tours throughout the day on Saturdays starting at 9 a.m., and this Saturday is no exception. People will be able to see the inside of the Wallenstein Palace and visit the Wallenstein Garden and Chapel of St. Wenceslas until 7 p.m. The program will culminate with a fencing exhibition in the courtyard at 6 p.m. The program here ends earlier than at most other venues.

At Invalidovna in Prague’s Karlín section, there will be role-playing evening tours led by people in costumes as historical figures connected to the building’s history. People will be able to see spaces not normally accessible to the public. Tours are aimed at a Czech-speaking audience.

Chvalský zámek, at the edge of Prague in Horní Počernice, has a program from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. As the current exhibit deals with the Nile, there will be workshops on African cuisine, guided tours by explorers, and a new circus show at 7 p.m. on the theme of aviation. Children can play interactive games based on a search for lost treasure.

The gardens under Prague Castle will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will be lit by torchlight after sunset. There will be demonstrations of archery and martial arts performed Association of European Martial Arts. Visitors can try archery, knife, or ax throwing under the supervision of professionals. On a different note, guided tours will give the history of the gardens.

Some 17 castles and chateaux will be participating in the Central Bohemia region. At Karlštejn people can expect period fashion shows and a fire show in the castle courtyard. There are also opportunities to see several parts of the castle at night until 11 p.m.

Other monuments in the region with special programs and tours include Konopiště, Český Šternberk, Mělník, Křivoklát, Točník, Sázava and Veltrusy.

Even further afield in the Ústí nad Labem region, lovers of falconers and knights may want to check out Červený Hrádek, where knightly tournaments will take place on horseback. The entire area will be decorated with tents, banners, and shields. Children’s competitions will center on the theme of chivalry. Events there start at 3 p.m.

Fans of period music will be delighted by a concert in the Knight’s Hall at Frýdlant Castle or a musical program at Landštejn Castle. Both places will open up areas that are not normally accessible.

Among the more unusual programs, Hluboká Castle in South Bohemia will have a stage magician performing sleight of hand tricks and other illusions. There will also be costumed tours.

At Villa Stiassni in Brno, costumed tours will allow visitors to transport to the time just before World War II when the Jewish Stiassni family was forced into exile. Unlike most other venues participating in Castle and Chateau night, the villa is an example of modern architecture from the 1920s. In the past, it hosted state visits including one by Fidel Castro but now has slowly been restored to its original appearance as a family home.

More information including complete programs for all of the venues can be found on the National Heritage Institute's website.