Potštejn chateau and castle
Potštejn Castle, located near Vamberk in East Bohemia, is a historical complex built in 1746 by Count Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamaré. It is a four-winged Baroque building with a mansard roof, surrounded by pillar arcades and a distinctive facade decorated with pilaster strips and a tympanum with the builder's coats of arms. After a long period of neglect, the castle began to be gradually restored from 2004, thanks to which it was reopened to the public in 2006. It currently serves as a cultural and social center, offering interior tours, an exhibition gallery, a confectionery and an English-style castle park.
Potštejn Castle, a majestic Baroque residence in the village of the same name near Vamberk in East Bohemia, is an important architectural and cultural monument in this part of the Czech Republic. Its history dates back to 1746, when the Potštejn estate was acquired by Count Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamaré. Previously, there was an older Potštejn Castle on the site, which is mentioned in sources mainly in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The castle itself was built by Jan Ludvík as a one-story, four-winged building with a high mansard roof. The construction reflected the Baroque architectural trends of the time and was complemented by beautiful courtyard arcades and a prominent projection with the alliance coat of arms and the year 1749. The author of the original design of the castle was architect Josef Jäger, and despite several later modifications, the castle remains an important example of Baroque architectural art in East Bohemia.
After the death of Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamaré, the castle was inherited by his son Jan Antonín and later by Jan Antonín Jr. After World War II, based on the Beneš decrees, the castle was confiscated and passed into the administration of the Revolutionary Trade Union Movement, which used it as a training center. Unfortunately, this era was marked by the decline and devastation of the building, including the walling up of the arcades in the courtyard and other architectural interventions.
After 1989, Potštejn Castle acquired several private owners who tried to restore and preserve it. In 2004, the Nováčeks became the owners and began extensive reconstruction work. The renovation included not only the restoration of the interiors and exteriors of the castle, but also the revitalization of the castle park, where the expert Dr. Větvička played an important role.
Currently, Potštejn Castle is open to the public again as a cultural and historical center. Visitors can explore the reconstructed rooms of the castle, including the ceremonial hall with marble pilasters and the Holy Trinity Chapel with Rococo furnishings. In addition to tours, the castle also offers various cultural and social events, such as exhibition galleries, concerts and the traditional Friday Salons, which were restored by Mrs. Nováčková.
Today, Potštejn Castle is not only restoring its history and architectural beauty, but also actively contributing to the cultural life and tourist attraction of the East Bohemian region. It is a place where the past and the present meet, offering visitors a unique insight into the history of this picturesque part of the Czech Republic.