In order to buy the castle, he had to sell an apartment in Brno. “I didn’t want to live in the city. I lived in a castle, so I decided to turn the property into an opportunity to save some abandoned monument,” explained Miloš Dempír. He searched for several years. He did not have unlimited financial possibilities, at the same time there are not an abundance of castle buildings for sale. May luck smile upon him at the beginning of 2020. He discovered the Poláky castle on the bank of the Nechranice dam in Chomutovska.
Photo: Ludmila Žlábková, novinky.cz
At Poláky Castle, Miloš Dempír arranged a study in period style.
“He was at the edge of his existence. Abandoned, with sagging ceilings, the building was leaking massively,” Dempír recalled, admitting that the past four years had been difficult. He was still taking care of the Svojanov castle, which is owned by the town of Polička, as an administrator, and at the same time, every free moment he traveled to three hundred kilometers away Poles.
“The castle roof was damaged, the joints of essential beams were missing. The entire dome collapsed by about twelve centimeters,” he revealed, boasting that since then the most critical places had already been saved. The villa of the administrator of the large estate was also repaired, trusses and roofs were secured, window coverings are gradually being added, and the first six rooms that will be part of the tour are already being furnished.
Increased traffic
When Miloš Dempír came to Svojanov, the castle was not in a state of disrepair, but a fundamental reconstruction awaited him. All constructions and buildings were out of date, new uses for a number of spaces had to be devised.
“From the original 27,000 visitors a year, we managed to increase their number to more than sixty. Before covid, it was even 80,000,” boasted Dempír, admitting that it was difficult for him to leave this place.
Photo: Miloš Dempír
“After all, I’ve lived here for almost twenty years. It is a beautiful castle. So genuine. It has walls, a tower, some preserved buildings, some ruins. In addition, there is a garden, which is not usual. It is surrounded by forests, standing on a high hill. Just a fairy-tale castle,” listed Dempír. According to him, Poles have a completely different character and atmosphere.
“Such a country mansion. I imagine that people will come here to relax, sit in a cafe, see the castle. We have a dam there,” continued the castellan, recalling that originally a Gothic fortress stood here, later rebuilt into a Renaissance castle. The existing Baroque building dates from 1762–1811.
The well kept its secret
“We are already opening for visitors this Saturday. There will be an open house. And then from June 15th we start permanent operation. Until the end of October, it will be open on weekends, on holidays every day except Mondays,” added Dempír.
“My last dream in Svojanov was to restore the Gothic garden. Reconstruction is already underway. The only thing I missed is cleaning and exploring the castle well. It is a very expensive matter, so there were other priorities. The well had been closed for over one hundred and fifty years, no one knew about it. It may hide interesting finds, but for now it remains a real castle secret,” he added.
Poles
- The baroque castle served as a state estate until 1988, after which it was abandoned and dilapidated until 2020. It is now undergoing a long-term renovation and is made available several times a year as part of cultural events.
- From June 15, 2024, the castle will be permanently open to the public during regular opening hours.
- On Saturday, April 27, the Spring Festival will take place here. There will be an introduction to spring customs and traditions, fencing performances and extraordinary tours of the castle’s interiors.
- Entrance fee 160 crowns, children 110 crowns.
- www.zamek-polaky.cz
Svovanov
- A former royal castle, the first written mention of which was preserved in 1287. After it was taken out of royal hands, it was held by a number of noble families. Since 1910, it was owned by the town of Polička, to which it was returned again after nationalization in 1993.
- Entrance fee 180 crowns, children 120 crowns.
- www.svojanov.cz
The most important baroque monument in northern Bohemia invites you to the mysterious catacombs and the tomb of the saint
Tips for trips
The demolished Kostelec enchanted Mácha as well. There are beautiful views of Sázava from the ruins
Tips for trips
