Stránov Castle

Stránov is located in the village Jizerní Vtelno near Mladá Byslav. Today, it stands out as an elegant Neo-Renaissance castle, but it hides a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. In 1429, the fort referred to by the name of Mr Bohunek from Stránova is already mentioned. Around the mid-fifteenth century Jaros of Sovojovice in 1463- 1468 had built a Gothic castle in this place, which was named New Stránov.

In the following centuries, Stránov became part of the property of several important noble families. From 1545 to 1589 it was owned by the Berk family of Dubé, then bought by Karel from Biberstejn, who held high positions in the imperial court - he was the imperial council and the supreme mincmaster of the kingdom of Bohemia. The castle was gradually converted into a Renaissance castle, mainly due to Michal Slavata from Chlum, who got it by marriage. Around 1642 he became owner of Jan of Lisau, a member of the Brandenburg nobility, who was also noticed by the emperor himself and promoted him for his bravery in the battle of Nördlingen.

In the eighteenth century, Stránov became a place of intensive building activity. The most famous is the period of the reign of Jan Václav Příchovský from Příchovice, who returned to the property since 1746. This Baroque aristocrat must rebuild the castle, set up a castle garden and have the Baroque sandstone fountain built in the area itself. In 1767, the church of St. Wenceslas was also established in the castle, according to the design of the great Prague architect Filip Heger. At that time, both Rudolf Adam of Lis and his wife Elizabeth Lidmila, who was the granddaughter of the famous astronomer Tychon Brahe, lived there and spent a great deal of her life.

The nineteenth century brought Stránov its today's романтic appearance. In the years 1890-1894 she had it rebuilt into a Neo-Renaissance castle of Mary of Valdštejn and Vartenberk according to the design of architect Josef Schulz and under the guidance of builder J. Frost. The castle thus became an important example of period architecture. In 1917 it was bought by the president of the Škoda races and by the senator of Parliament Josef Šimonek, who was promoted by the Emperor of the Earth to noble state. His family stayed here until nationalization in 1950.

After nationalization, the castle served as a children's home, with its interiors undergoing insensitive modifications. But this sad fate turned back in 2003 when Stránov returned to the property of the Shimonk family. It's being managed by Zuzana Pavlíková today. Since 2004, the castle has been open to the public again and there are gradually restoration works on interiors and exteriors. In the summer months there are social and cultural events that give a new life to the castle and allow visitors to enter its rich history.