The Gothic castle was founded in mid 13th century as the fortified point protecting the Bohemian- Kladsko pass. There were many noble houses taking turns in keeping it, above all the House of Poděbrady, Pernštejn and Smiřice, followed by House of Trčka, Piccolomini, Desfours, Curland and Schaumburg. There were among owners even Czech kings. Until the 18th century it had been often rebuilt, in Renaissance style during ownership of House Smiřický in Baroque one, led by significant Italian master builder Carlo Lugano.

The huge portal of the gate leading through the castle alley to the military cemetery, where are the family members of Duke Schaumburg-Lippe and other war dead from the Prussian-Austrian war 1866 buried, is an example of the top Baroque style.The castle is large, with five courts. The interiors boast a big collection of rare tapestries, there are held many celebrations and cultural performances during the tourist season , not only inside but also in the castle garden. Visitors can view the town from the terrace or the tower. They can explore Gothic cellars , the chapel, the Piccolomini garden, the English park and live bears called Ludvík and Dáša.

The town of Náchod is situated 346 metres above sea level on both river-banks of river Metuje and it is the town zone of conservation. First written mentions of the town originated in 1254.Little town had consecutively spread over the town walls, significant boom occured in the end of 18th century together with the expansion of textile industry. The town has recently been a natural, historical, tourist, administrative and industrial centre of the area - from the entry "Branka = Gate" up to the whole Broumov edge. There are many monuments here in the town - Renaissance castle with French garden, St. Lawrence´s gothic church in Masaryk square, the old baroque town hall, the new neo-renaissance town hall, the post office.

Náchod is the birthplace of Czech writer and publisher in exile Josef Škvorecký, born 1924, dramatist and satirist Vratislav Blažek, who lived in time from 1925 till 1973. Also some novels written by Alois jirásek are related to Náchod. There is a regional museum and Gallery of visual arts here. Náchod is a border town with the direct relationship to Kudowa Zdroj and other spa towns in Klodzko land, e.g. Dušniki Zdrój and Polanica Zdrój.

History

Landlord Hron
In the early Middle Ages, in the 11th century and perhaps even earlier, there was a trail connecting our country with neighbouring Poland. There was a Guard Gate at the very borderline, and beneath, a small settlement of guards with an ancient St. John the Baptist Church. For the first time we have learnt about the Gate from Kosmas Chronicle record about Prince Vratislav II, who had called a land´s assembly of knights there..

About two centuries later a border castle on the hill above the Metuje river came into being, then a town called Náchod appeared in the valley beneath.Landlord Hron of Náchod from House of Načeratic was the first-known owner of both, the castle and the town. Then, as the centuries, rich of peace and wars, were passing by, there was a long line of feudal lords to whom the town belonged. Among them was the Czech King John of Luxembourg, Hussite leader Jan Kolda of Žampach and even the so called Hussite King George of Poděbrady. The Smiřickýs rebuilt the late Gothic castle into The Renaissance chateau in the 16th century, and the town flourished under their rule, but unfortunately not for long. During the Thirty Years´War, the Italian noble House of Piccolomini became the new lord of Náchod. Its main representa- tive - Octavio, Emperor´s Generalissimus - called on Italian builders and had the smaller Renaissance chateau rebuilt into a magnificent Baroque Duke´s seat. Foreign aristocracy, however, became known as the dependents´oppressor which resulted in a huge peasant upheaval against the establishment. Nothing is eternal. The Piccolominis died out and their place was taken by the House of Curland with the art-loving Peter, Duke of Curland. The Náchod castle revived . The duke´s theatre was busy again , even Don Giovanni by famous Mozart - the opera of all operas - could be heard there. Also the dependents´matters under the new lord were handled in a progressive way. Peter´s daughter Catherine Wilhemine, Duchess of Sagan, whose rule marked the first forty years of the 19th century, was a very important lady and played a considerable role in European diplomacy. Her memory is for us, commemorated as the "Madam Duchess" from the most beautiful novel of 19th century , "Grandmother" by Božena Němcová.

It is closed in winter.
NE from Prague – 2,5hours
Trip :
1) Nachod castle trip number NNE11 – 8hour round trip
Trips combinations:
2) Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks and Betlehem NNE1 - 9hour round trip
3)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Hradek NNE1 - 10 hour round trip
4)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Hradec Kralove town NNE7 - 9 hour round trip
3)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Opocno NNE4 - 10 hour round trip
4)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + ZOO Dvur Kralove NNE10 - 9 hour round trip
5)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Castolovice NNE3 - 9 hour round trip
6)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Josefov fortress NNE6 - 9 hour round trip
7)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Litomysl town and chateau NNE5 - 11 hour round trip
8)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Hradek NNE1 + Hradec Kralove town NNE7 - 11 hour round trip
9)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Hradec Kralove town NNE7 - 11 hour round trip
10)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Josefov fortress NNE6 - 11 hour round trip
11)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Opocno NNE4 + Hradec Kralove town NNE7 - 12 hour round trip
12)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Castolovice NNE3 + Hradec Kralove town NNE7 - 13 hour round trip
13)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Castolovice NNE3 + Hradek NNE1 - 11 hour round trip
14)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Hradek NNE1 - 11 hour round trip
15)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Litomysl town and chateau NNE5 - 13 hour round trip
16)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Castolovice NNE3 - 11hour round trip
17)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Josefov fortress NNE6 - 13hour round trip
18)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Castolovice NNE3 - 13 hour round trip
19)Nachod castle trip number NNE11 + Opocno NNE4 + Litomysl town and chateau NNE5 - 12 hour round trip
20)Nachod NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 - 10 hour round trip
21)Nachod NNE11 + Nove Mesto nad Metuji NNE12 - 10 hour round trip
22)Nachod NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + Nove Mesto nad Metuji NNE12 - 12 hour round trip
23)Nachod NNE11 + Kuks NNE1 + ZOO Dvur Kralove nad Labem NNE7 - 13 hour round trip
24)Nachod NNE11 + Wroclaw CA5 - 14 hour round trip

Our popular tours are outlined on our web sites:
www.private-tours.net
www.private-tours.cz
jewish.tourstoprague.com