Červený Újezd Castle: A Modern Historicist Site in the Czech Republic

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.hrad-cervenyujezd.cz

Country: Czechia

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Červený Újezd Castle is situated in the village of Červený Újezd near Unhošť, within the modern Czech Republic. The current castle does not stand on the site of the original historic stronghold but is rather a recent construction inspired by traditional regional architecture.

The original manor of Červený Újezd was under the management of descendants of Jan Žďárský of Žďár during the 16th century. This period witnessed significant turmoil when mercenaries from Passau plundered the estate in 1611, reflecting the broader conflicts affecting the region at the time. A year later, in 1612, the estate hosted the Holy Roman Emperor Matthias, indicating its local importance during the early 17th century.

The present-day Červený Újezd Castle was built between 2001 and 2002, commissioned by Pavel Orna. His vision was to create a building that fused historic architectural traditions with the needs of contemporary use, resulting in a structure that is both a tribute to craftsmanship of the past and a functional modern complex. This new castle does not replace an ancient fortress but rather serves as a cultural site housing a private museum dedicated to rural Czech life through several centuries.

Remains

The current Červený Újezd Castle is a historicist structure designed with a blend of Gothic and Renaissance stylistic elements. Its layout is enhanced by a surrounding water moat, a feature traditionally associated with medieval castles for defense but here employed more for aesthetic and symbolic purposes in the modern reconstruction.

Inside the grounds lies an extensive garden that operates as a botanical collection, showcasing over a thousand different plant species identified with informational plaques. This garden complements the castle’s historicist style by providing a living link to the natural environment commonly associated with countryside estates.

The castle grounds also contain a small open-air museum comprising buildings recreated in historicist style. These include essential rural constructions such as a windmill, a bell tower, a granary, and a wine cellar, as well as structures like a sheepfold, a hayloft, a smokehouse, a charcoal pile, and a wood yard. These elements together demonstrate the range of agricultural and domestic activities typical of Czech rural life over several centuries.

Within the castle itself, several halls are arranged for various uses, including the Knight’s Hall, the Armory, the Baroque Salon, the Mill Salon, and the Czech Barn. Among these spaces is a tavern styled to evoke the atmosphere of a late medieval inn, complete with period music and traditional Czech dishes, blending cultural heritage with interpretation.

Although primarily a modern recreation, the castle carefully incorporates original artifacts, mostly displayed within its private Museum of Czech Countryside. The museum’s collection consists of over 4,000 items accumulated over four decades, representing the daily life and crafts of rural communities from the 17th century through the early 20th century, gathered from across Czech and Slovak regions. These exhibits add tangible historical depth to the site’s otherwise reconstructed environment.