Cervena Lhota Castle
Bohemia, Czech Republic
Originally built as a fortress in the 14th century, Cervena Lhota is one of the Czech Republic’s most Insta-worthy castles. Standing on an island on a lake in forested Bohemia, this 16th-century castle-turned-residence is distinguished by its high deep-red walls, a feature that lent it its name of cervena, which means “red” in Czech, in the 17th century.
The basics
Visitors pay an admission fee to Cervena Lhota to join their choice of in-house tours. Opt for a standard walk around the first-floor salons—the last residences of the princes of Schönburg-Hartenstein—or a guided tour of the children’s attic rooms, all of them richly dressed in their original early-20th century furnishings. Another tour takes you into the rock-carved cellars, the foundations of the original fortress.
Cervena Lhota is featured on several private full-day tours from Prague, which focus on Bohemia's historical and scenic highlights. Some combine the castle with time exploring the picture-perfect town of Telc, while others pair it with a visit to the nearby Tudor-style Hluboka Castle.
Things to know before you go
Cervena Lhota Castle is perfect for history, architecture, and photography aficionados. Plan to spend 1-2 hours visiting the castle and its surroundings. The castle interiors are inaccessible to people who use wheelchairs. Amenities in and around the castle include restrooms, snack bars, restaurants, and paid parking.
How to get there
Cervena Lhota Castle lies in the Czech Republic’s southern-Bohemia municipality of Pluhuv Zdar near Cervena Lhota village, just northwest of Jindrichuv Hradec, and roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Prague. If you’re driving from Prague, it takes about 1.5 hours—follow the D1/E65, Route 3, and D3 to Zverotice, and then Routes 13521 and 12838. You can also take a train from Prague to Sobeslav, a 20-minute cab ride away, or join a tour that includes transportation.
When to get there
Cervena Lhota is open from April-October only—it’s closed in the winter—with tours operating Saturday-Sunday during April and October, and Tuesday-Sunday at other times. Tours typically run on a rolling basis throughout the day, though it’s best to prebook online before arriving. The castle can be crowded in the peak summer season—especially on the weekends— so avoid the busiest times by visiting on weekdays or in the shoulder months of April or October.
Other attractions at Cervena Lhota Castle
After exploring Cervena Lhota’s interiors, head outside to appreciate it from different viewpoints. Rent a rowboat (subject to availability) to see it from the lake itself, and follow the walking trail circling the wooded lakeshores to admire the castle’s reflection in the still waters. Another photo op awaits at the castle’s photogenic 16th-century chapel on the lake’s northern banks.
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