Starý zámek Velké Březno Chateau
The old castle is located in the village Velké Březno on the right bank of the Elbe in the district Ústí nad Labem. It is a cultural monument with long history, which can be traced back to Renaissance reconstructions and which has preserved its authentic building form to the present day.
The oldest mansion was a building built by Vartenberg in the second half of the 15th century, known as the Vartenberg Fortress. The owners moved to it from the older castle of Varta. First, the fort is mentioned indirectly in papers from 1472-1486, where it appears in the home of Jiří z Vartenberk in Brno, which proves the already established position of the mansion in the landscape.
In 1528 the House of Salhausen became the owner, who had the fort rebuilt into a Renaissance castle - so they completely transformed the building according to the architectural ideas at the time. The ownership was subsequently changed among high-ranking noble families: in 1606 it was owned by Abraham Bok of Bok, in 1628 by Karel Glich of Miltice. His daughter sold the estate to Sophie Anezka Ditrichstein, later owned by Harracha. Since 1841, the estate has gone to the Chotka family. In 1842, Count Karel Chotek added another floor, giving the building the form the visitor sees today.
The building is characterized by a one-story castle building with a rectangular ground plan and a mansard roof. The typical skylights and tower with onion roof come out of this roof, which provides a whole romantic-Renaissance element. The ground floor rooms are surrounded by vaulted vaults with lunettes, which shows the quality of the construction and care during its establishment.
Since the twentieth century, the castle has been housed by a retirement home, which continues the tradition of residential use of the building. The old castle is therefore not a dead historical relic, but a living part of the landscape that connects its rich past with its function for today's society.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1842
- Count Karel Chotek built a villa that later grew into the current form of the castle.
Architectural development
Originally, it was the place of the fortress of the 15th century. In 1842 Count Karel Chotek built a villa which was later expanded and rebuilt to the present appearance of a castle with a mansard roof and a turret.
Historical events
- 1472
- First written direct mention of the fort.
- 1528
- The Salhausen have acquired the manor and rebuilt the fort into a Renaissance castle.
- 1842
- Count Karel Chotek built a villa that later grew into the current form of the castle.
Owners
Vartenberk (15th century), Salhausen (1528), Bok z Bok (1606), Glich z Miltic (1628), Ditrichstein (after 1628), Harrachs, Chotková (since 1841)
Points of interest
- The old castle is located in the village Velké Březno on the right bank of the Elbe and is a cultural monument with long history, which can be traced to Renaissance reconstructions. - The oldest mansion was a building built by the Vartenberg in the second half of the 15th century, known as the Vartenberg fortress. - In 1528, the House of Salhausen was the owner, who had the fort rebuilt into a Renaissance castle. - In 1842, Count Karel Chotek added another floor, giving the building the form the visitor sees today. - Since the 20th century, the castle has been housed in a retirement home, indicating its current residential use.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Old Castle in Velké Březno is located on the right bank of the Elbe River in the Ústí nad Labem district. It is called "old" because there is another noble residence in the village. In the year 1842, Count Karel Chotek had a villa built here, which was later expanded and today is referred to as the new castle. The Old Castle is protected as a cultural monument.
Its origins date back to the second half of the fifteenth century. At that time, the Vartenbergs built a fortified house here and moved into it from their older castle Varta. It was the oldest noble residence in the village. The first mention of the fortified house is only indirect. It comes from the years 1472 to 1486 and is hidden in the surname of Jiří from Vartenberka on Březno.
In the year 1528, the Salhausen family acquired the estate. They had the fortified house rebuilt as a Renaissance castle. After them, the owners changed. In 1606 it was Abraham Bok from Boku and in 1628 Karel Glich from Miltic. His daughter sold the estate to Žofie Anežka Ditrichštejnová. After her it passed to the Harrachy family and from 1841 it belonged to the Chotek family. Count Karel Chotek had an additional floor added to the castle. From the twentieth century onwards, the building has housed a retirement home.
The castle building is single-storied and has a rectangular floor plan. It is covered by a mansard roof with dormer windows. Above it rises a small tower with an onion dome. The rooms on the ground floor are vaulted with barrel vaults and lunettes.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit the Old Castle Velké Březno is in the spring or autumn period when the landscape is full of blood and the light is not very strong. These months offer ideal conditions for walking around the castle with its views of the Elbe River.
Parking is possible to find around the village Velké Březno. We recommend you arrive by car if you want to have the most freedom to explore the surrounding countryside. For those travelling by public transport, the castle is also available on buses; you can verify the current connection in the online search engine.
When visiting, bring protective clothing and shoes suitable for walking, because the terrain around the castle can be irregular. Remember also the umbrella and water, especially in the summer months.
For photography offers The old castle a few beautiful perspectives. The best light is usually in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not directly above the head and shading is ideal for detailed shots. Behold the views of the Elbe River from the castle wall.
In the vicinity of the Old Castle Velké Březno there is a wonderful natural park which is ideal for a short walk or picnic. For families with children offers local surroundings and the opportunity to try cycling trails and fun activities outside.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Yes. We verified the opening hours or admission on the official website (3. 8. 2026); you will find them in the visitor information on this page. Please double-check with the operator before you travel.
What are the opening hours and admission?
Details verified on the official website (3. 8. 2026) are listed in the visitor information on this page. Official website: https://www.zamek-velkebrezno.cz
Where is the monument?
Location: Klášterní 1, Velké Březno, Ústecký kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument (register no. 42687/5-285).
For kids
Imagine going back 184 years until the castle was not born here. That was the time when there was only a small castle in this place, which was home to the lords of Vartenberk.
It was like a game where heroes lived at a time when countries were rulers and people served them. This was the name of Mr. Jan Černín, who had great power over this country. Because he was rich and powerful, he built a new mansion to serve him as a home.
Businesses nearby
Do you run a restaurant, accommodation, shop, museum, rental, wellness or other visitor service near this monument? Show yourself directly to the people heading to it — this is how they will see you in the app and on the web:
Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
The castle is located on the right bank of the Elbe in the village Velké Březno, which offers beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscape.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
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Thematic cruise route: Starý zámek Velké Březno and surroundings
1. Starý zámek Velké Březno (lock) Type: Historical castle Why is it worth a visit: This Baroque castle with rich history offers beautiful views of the River Elbe and is famous for its architecture and historical exhibits. It's the perfect place to know regional history.
2. Park at castle Velké Březno Type: Park Why is it worth a visit: The park offers quiet pavements and a beautiful natural landscape that is ideal for relaxation. It's the perfect place to walk after visiting the castle.
3. Church of St. Lawrence in Great March Type: Church Why is worth a visit: This church is an example of sacral architecture and offers a view of historical interiors. It is close to the castle, which makes it easy to walk both monuments.
4. Castle tank Velké Březno Type: Historical courtyard Why it is worth a visit: The reservoir is an ideal place for understanding the historical importance of the castle and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. It is also a place where various cultural events take place.
5. Tower of castle Velké Březno Type: Historical tower Why is worth a visit: The tower offers not only a historical view, but also an impressive view of the surroundings and the Elbe River. It is a unique point for understanding the architectural details of the castle.
This route offers a comprehensive view of the history and culture of the village Velké Březno, with an emphasis on its most important monuments.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring season Starý zámek Velké Březno gets unique beauty, when flowering shrubs and trees create a lively variety of colors around historical walls. The sun rays illuminating the lock add magic, which emphasizes even more the architectural details of this monument object. Visitors should take advantage of mild temperatures and pleasant weather, which is suitable for a long walk around the castle and its surrounding parks. We recommend a visit in the afternoon when the crowd decreases, and equipment with light clothes and sunglasses against the sun.
Summer: The Velké Březno Castle is a popular place for tourists thanks to its pleasant environment and high number of visitors. The sun day illuminates the castle so that it emphasizes its historical architecture, while nature around it is in full power. This season it is recommended to visit the castle early in the morning or evening to avoid the midday crowd and unpleasant temperatures. Do not forget the protective sun cream, wide hats and plenty of drinking water.
Autumn: In autumn Starý zámek Velké Březno becomes melancholic charm when tree leaves change colour to red, yellow and orange. The sunny days illuminate the lock in warm shades, providing ideal conditions for photography. The wet air can be difficult to relax, therefore it is advisable to visit the castle at noon and carry warm clothes. This time of year offers a quieter atmosphere than the main summer season.
Winter: Winter visit to the Old Castle Velké Březno is full of comfort and silence when snow covers the surrounding landscape in white breath. Freezing weather adds a romantic atmosphere, while lighting the castle in the evening can be wonderful and provide a unique view of the historical structure. Due to shorter opening times, it is important to come early in order to obtain a sufficient time reserve to explore. Don't forget the warm clothes and the cold protection equipment, such as gloves and cups.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
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Sources and literature
Photos: SchiDD / CC BY-SA 3.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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