Mačice Granary

Mačice is a castle in the Klatovy District that developed on the site of an original 14th-century fortress. This historic building, transformed from a Renaissance residence into a Baroque castle, forms a complex with the castle itself, former breweries, a granary, and a park enclosed by walls and gates. The entire area has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964.

The original fortress was built around the mid-14th century when it belonged to the lord Dobeš. Later, Racek ze Žihobce became the owner, followed by Domek and Aleš z Mačic. In 1420, brothers Heřman and Vojtěch Horčicové z Prostého resided here. After Vojtěch, his sons Dobrohost and Štěpán inherited the property; Štěpán became a robber alongside Zdeňek Malovec. The regional treasury led by Tábor captured and burned down both the fortress and village in 1520 or 1521.

After its restoration, Jan Kaplíř lived in Mačice, whose sons Bedřich and Vojtěch later divided the property. Before 1581, the Březští z Ploskovic brothers acquired Mačice and built a new fortress in Renaissance style. Oldřich Kaplíř, who participated in the Bohemian Revolt (1618–1620), also lived on the estate. In 1629, Zdeněk Ježovský z Lub na Kalenici purchased the property. It was later owned by various individuals, including Anna Terezie z Unvertu, who sold it to Jan Arnošt Šiška z Jamolic in 1724. It was either Jan Arnošt or his son Arnošt who transformed the Renaissance fortress into a Baroque castle. In 1804, Jáchym Zádubský ze Šentalu acquired Mačice.

The architectural form of the monument shows layers of different styles. The three-winged castle building contains Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and historicizing elements. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, a Classical terrace was added to the eastern facade, and in the mid-19th century, further modifications were made, including changes to window bays, flooring, doors, and a new casing for the main entrance. Renaissance plasters and a Baroque roof are preserved in the northern wing. From the original fortress, the masonry of the granary building has survived, which features vaulted ground floor, three stories with horizontal windows, and visible fragments of Renaissance sgraffito on the facade.

Mačice represents an interesting example of a site's gradual transformation from a medieval fortress to a Baroque castle. The historical layering in its architecture and preserved elements of the Renaissance granary make this place a valuable historic ensemble. Visiting the area offers insights into the region’s history and its progressive development.