Štěnovice Chateau

Štěnovický Castle stands on the left bank of the Úhlava River in the village of the same name in the Plzeň region. It is a Baroque structure dating from around 1723. Today it is in private ownership and is protected as a cultural monument.

A noble residence had existed here much earlier. From the fourteenth century, an old fortified house stood on a promontory above the confluence of the Úhlava and Losinský streams, built on the site of an early medieval fortified settlement. In the first half of the sixteenth century, it was replaced by a Renaissance fortified house. It likely stood where a manor farm was located, though its exact position is unknown.

Who founded the castle is not entirely clear. Traditionally, Anna Dorota of Schirndingen is considered the founder. However, an inscription on the entrance portal names Marie Rozina of Schirndingen, born Winklerin of Heimfeld, who apparently inherited the village from Anna Dorota. Based on the style of the portal, the building was designed by Jakub Auguston the Younger.

The owners then changed frequently. After Marie Rozina, from around 1738, the estate belonged to Countess Terezie Pöttinger, born Michna. In 1788, Count Karel Michna of Vacínov is mentioned. The estate then included Čižice and Štěnovický Borek. Matyáš Leština and his son Karel followed. From 1834, the estate was owned by Vojtěch Mladota of Solopiska, and from 1840 by Ferdinand of Weissenbach. After his death, his widow Antonie held it. In 1851, Antonín Starck purchased the estate, and after him it was inherited by Doctor of Law Ludvík Fritsch.

From 1899 it belonged to Šebestián Klička, then to Antonín Veltrubský of Veltrub, and from 1915 to Josef Vykoukal. His sons Jaroslav and Karel managed the estate until 1945. From 1946, Karel was the sole owner. In 1948, the castle became the seat of the local national committee, and the local administration was headquartered there until 1991. Then the municipality transferred it to Jaroslav Vykoukal, the son of the last owner.

The castle is a rectangular single-storey building with rounded corners, with seven and four window axes. On the longer side facing the river is a prismatic tower with a clock. The ground floor is vaulted with barrel vaults with lunettes. In the entrance hall of the defunct chapel, a fresco by the painter Lux has been preserved.

In the park near the castle stand three Baroque statues of saints: Saint Florian, Saint Joseph, and Saint Ivo. They date from 1723 to 1725. On their pedestals is the combined coat of arms of the Schirndingen and Winkler of Heimfeld families and the date 1723.