Konopiště Castle

Konopiště Castle, nestled in the picturesque countryside, offers a unique blend of history, romance, and natural beauty. From exploring the splendid residence of the heir to the imperial throne to wandering through the exotic plants in the rose garden, there's something here to pique everyone's interest. What is the best way to get to Konopiště? When is the best time to go there? Which tour should you choose to explore the interiors? You will find all the answers in this article.
How to Get to Konopiště from Prague? Cars The best way to get from Prague to Konopiště is by car. The journey usually takes about 40 minutes. There's a spacious parking lot near the castle, and the parking fee is around 60 CZK. You can also plan a whole-day trip by combining a visit to Konopiště with a trip to Kutná Hora. If you need to rent a car, you can find a suitable options at rentalcars.com
	Buses If you want to travel from Prague to Konopiště by public transport, you need to take a bus to the small town of Benešov. Buses 401 and 406 depart from Roztyly metro station. The trip to the Benešov Terminal stop takes a little over 30 minutes and costs approximately 3 euros. You can use the Lítačka app or the IDOS website to find a suitable connection. The castle is 2.4 km (1.5 miles) from Benešov bus station. Take a taxi, use a local bus to the Benešov Konopiště stop, or walk for about 40 minutes.
Tours Another option is to book a private tour from Prague to Konopiště or join the group trip. You can explore available offers and make your reservation via GetYouGuide.com or viator.com.
The Best Time to Visit Konopiště Like most castles in Czechia, Konopište is closed during winter months. You can visit it from the beginning of April until the end of October. Some tours are also available during weekends in November. Also, keep in mind that the castle is always closed on Monday. It is better to check the latest information on opening hours at the castle's official website.
	Brief history of Konopiště Konopište Castle was founded in the late 13th century by Tobias of Benešov, a prominent Czech nobleman. Initially, it was built as a Gothic fortress with a robust fortification system designed to defend against invaders. The castle featured seven sturdy towers that effectively protected the area. The castle changed owners over the centuries and was rebuilt several times. In the early 17th century, it was renovated in the Renaissance style, adding comfort and elegance to its medieval structure. In the 18th century, Baroque-style renovations added more luxurious living quarters.
In 1887, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, purchased Konopište Castle and began a fascinating era in its history. He transformed Konopište into a marvelous residence by undertaking extensive renovations. These included modernizing the castle with electricity, central heating, and an elevator. The Archduke also collected a vast array of art, furniture, hunting trophies, and an impressive armory. In 1900, Franz Ferdinand married Countess Sophie Chotek in a morganatic marriage. This type of union meant that despite Sophie being a countess, she was not of equal rank to Franz Ferdinand. She was not accorded the same status and privileges as Franz Ferdinand, and their children were excluded from the line of succession to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Due to these reasons, among others, the family chose to live in Konopište rather than in Vienna. Today, you can visit the family's rooms during one of the tours.
In 1914, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie traveled to Sarajevo, where a member of a Serbian nationalist society shot them both. Their assassination marked the beginning of World War I. After the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed in 1918, Konopište was taken over by the newly established Czechoslovak state. Today, it is a museum and a well-liked tourist destination.
Visiting Konopiště Castle The museum at Konopište offers multiple tours. Let's take a close look at each.
Apartments of the south wing During the tour, you will see the representative and guest rooms, which showcase a beautiful collection of items. It includes the hunting corridor, housing over 800 trophies of animals hunted by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the large dining room featuring a ceiling fresco from the early 18th century, the food preparation room equipped with a complete collection of Meissen porcelain for 24 people, and the guest suites previously inhabited by distinguished guests such as the Archduke's stepmother, Archduchess Maria Theresa, and the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
Apartments of the north wing This tour will take you to the oldest rooms with Gothic and Renaissance vaults. You will see the chapel, library, men's salon with an oriental harem, smoking room, and an armoury with a rare collection of weapons, mostly of Italian and German origin, dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. You will also get a glimpse of the Archduke's elevator.
Private apartments of Franz Ferdinand d'Este family This tour will give you a unique insight into the life of the high aristocracy at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition is set up to reflect how the chateau looked when Franz Ferdinand d'Este lived there, based on contemporary photographs and inventory lists. You will see the private dining room, the Pink Salon, Their Majesties' bedroom and bathroom, children's rooms, the music salon, and corridors featuring photographs from Franz Ferdinand d'Este's world travels.
If you decide to visit one of these tours, I recommend buying your tickets in advance at the castle's official website. Tickets, especially for tours in English and private apartment tours, are often sold out during the high season.
Without reservation, you can visit the Archduke's shooting range, which features moving targets, a billiard track, and a collection of hunting trophies in the former stables. Another option is the Museum of St. George in the former orangery. It showcases various items with the motif of St. George, collected by Franz Ferdinand. If you prefer flowers, visit the greenhouses, which house a variety of subtropical plants, instead. Tickets to all these places are sold on the spot, and reservation is not needed. Additionally, taking a stroll in the vast park in Konopište is free. To check the latest opening hours and entrance fee information, visit the Konopište Castle website.

Konopiště Castle, nestled in the picturesque countryside, offers a unique blend of history, romance, and natural beauty. From exploring the splendid residence of the heir to the imperial throne to wandering through the exotic plants in the rose garden, there's something here to pique everyone's interest.

What is the best way to get to Konopiště? When is the best time to go there? Which tour should you choose to explore the interiors? You will find all the answers in this article.

How to Get to Konopiště from Prague?

Cars

The best way to get from Prague to Konopiště is by car. The journey usually takes about 40 minutes. There's a spacious parking lot near the castle, and the parking fee is around 60 CZK. You can also plan a whole-day trip by combining a visit to Konopiště with a trip to Kutná Hora.

If you need to rent a car, you can find a suitable options at rentalcars.com

Photo of the castle wall and a park near it

Buses

If you want to travel from Prague to Konopiště by public transport, you need to take a bus to the small town of Benešov. Buses 401 and 406 depart from Roztyly metro station. The trip to the Benešov Terminal stop takes a little over 30 minutes and costs approximately 3 euros. You can use the Lítačka app or the IDOS website to find a suitable connection. The castle is 2.4 km (1.5 miles) from Benešov bus station. Take a taxi, use a local bus to the Benešov Konopiště stop, or walk for about 40 minutes.

Tours

Another option is to book a private tour from Prague to Konopiště or join the group trip. You can explore available offers and make your reservation via GetYouGuide.com or viator.com.

The Best Time to Visit Konopiště

Like most castles in Czechia, Konopište is closed during winter months. You can visit it from the beginning of April until the end of October. Some tours are also available during weekends in November. Also, keep in mind that the castle is always closed on Monday. It is better to check the latest information on opening hours at the castle's official website.

Photo of the castle's park and the preserved tower in the background.

Brief history of Konopiště

Konopište Castle was founded in the late 13th century by Tobias of Benešov, a prominent Czech nobleman. Initially, it was built as a Gothic fortress with a robust fortification system designed to defend against invaders. The castle featured seven sturdy towers that effectively protected the area.

The castle changed owners over the centuries and was rebuilt several times. In the early 17th century, it was renovated in the Renaissance style, adding comfort and elegance to its medieval structure. In the 18th century, Baroque-style renovations added more luxurious living quarters.

In 1887, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, purchased Konopište Castle and began a fascinating era in its history. He transformed Konopište into a marvelous residence by undertaking extensive renovations. These included modernizing the castle with electricity, central heating, and an elevator. The Archduke also collected a vast array of art, furniture, hunting trophies, and an impressive armory.

In 1900, Franz Ferdinand married Countess Sophie Chotek in a morganatic marriage. This type of union meant that despite Sophie being a countess, she was not of equal rank to Franz Ferdinand. She was not accorded the same status and privileges as Franz Ferdinand, and their children were excluded from the line of succession to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Due to these reasons, among others, the family chose to live in Konopište rather than in Vienna. Today, you can visit the family's rooms during one of the tours.

In 1914, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie traveled to Sarajevo, where a member of a Serbian nationalist society shot them both. Their assassination marked the beginning of World War I. After the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed in 1918, Konopište was taken over by the newly established Czechoslovak state. Today, it is a museum and a well-liked tourist destination.

Photo of the Courtyard of Konopiště Castle

Visiting Konopiště Castle

The museum at Konopište offers multiple tours. Let's take a close look at each.

Apartments of the south wing

During the tour, you will see the representative and guest rooms, which showcase a beautiful collection of items. It includes the hunting corridor, housing over 800 trophies of animals hunted by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the large dining room featuring a ceiling fresco from the early 18th century, the food preparation room equipped with a complete collection of Meissen porcelain for 24 people, and the guest suites previously inhabited by distinguished guests such as the Archduke's stepmother, Archduchess Maria Theresa, and the German Emperor Wilhelm II.

Photo of the lake in the castle's park.

Apartments of the north wing

This tour will take you to the oldest rooms with Gothic and Renaissance vaults. You will see the chapel, library, men's salon with an oriental harem, smoking room, and an armoury with a rare collection of weapons, mostly of Italian and German origin, dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. You will also get a glimpse of the Archduke's elevator.

Private apartments of Franz Ferdinand d'Este family

This tour will give you a unique insight into the life of the high aristocracy at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition is set up to reflect how the chateau looked when Franz Ferdinand d'Este lived there, based on contemporary photographs and inventory lists. You will see the private dining room, the Pink Salon, Their Majesties' bedroom and bathroom, children's rooms, the music salon, and corridors featuring photographs from Franz Ferdinand d'Este's world travels.

Photo of Konopiště Castle

If you decide to visit one of these tours, I recommend buying your tickets in advance at the castle's official website. Tickets, especially for tours in English and private apartment tours, are often sold out during the high season.

Without reservation, you can visit the Archduke's shooting range, which features moving targets, a billiard track, and a collection of hunting trophies in the former stables. Another option is the Museum of St. George in the former orangery. It showcases various items with the motif of St. George, collected by Franz Ferdinand. If you prefer flowers, visit the greenhouses, which house a variety of subtropical plants, instead. Tickets to all these places are sold on the spot, and reservation is not needed. Additionally, taking a stroll in the vast park in Konopište is free. To check the latest opening hours and entrance fee information, visit the Konopište Castle website.

Photo of the playground in the Konopiště park.