Zleby: Chateau, Park and Nature Experiences

Chateau History and Park Landscape

Žleby combines a multifaceted chateau history with a distinctive landscape along the Doubrava. Žleby Castle is first mentioned in 1289; the Gothic castle was probably founded by the Lords of Lichtenburg. When choosing your accommodation, the town therefore offers both historical discoveries and nature experiences in close thematic proximity.

The English landscape park of Žleby covers approximately 24 hectares. It makes use of the steep chateau slope and the canyon-like meander of the Doubrava. This combination of chateau, slope and river landscape gives the visit a clear focus: you can combine tours of cultural history with an experience of the park and landscape.

Three Tours at Žleby Chateau

The tour “The Charm of a Romantic Chateau” leads through reception salons, romantic interiors and a Renaissance-era arcaded courtyard with galleries. It also includes an armory with a special collection of weapons and armor, as well as the historic chateau kitchen with operational and food-preparation rooms.

“Life at the Chateau” focuses on the everyday life of the Auersperg family. Visitors can see private salons, bedrooms and studies, servants’ quarters, historic hygiene facilities and the Chapel of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The tour “A Chateau Born from a Castle” explores the Great Tower, with access to a viewing walkway, romantic chambers, cellars and the basement of the medieval castle.

Wildlife and Trails in the Surrounding Area

The Žleby Game Reserve is open to the public. During feeding, you can observe a tame herd of white deer from a distance of 15 meters. Flight demonstrations with birds of prey and owls are also offered, as are guided tours during which visitors can get closer to the animals. This provides an independent nature experience alongside the chateau tours.

For hiking, a red-marked trail leads from Žleby via Ronov nad Doubravou, Žlebské Chvalovice, Krkanka and Rudov to the ruins of Lichnice Castle. The surrounding area also includes the Na Spravedlnosti hill near Ronov nad Doubravou, Krkanka Mountain, Višňovka Hill near Podhořany u Ronova and Bučina Mountain. Kačina Chateau is also located in the vicinity of Žleby.

Churches, Chapels and Monuments

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Žleby is a Renaissance building from 1540 that was altered in the 19th century. Its grounds include a two-story Neorenaissance Auersperg burial chapel from 1822 in front of the west façade. The church and the separate burial chapel are protected monuments. The Žleby bell tower stands on a terrace above the right bank of the Doubrava and has a boarded upper story.

The Chapel of the Holy Trinity is one of Žleby’s cultural monuments. It lies west of the town in the direction of Markovice and is a small, plastered brick chapel with a rectangular floor plan. It bears the year 1867; 1976, the year of its restoration, is engraved below it. The front niche contains a mural of the Holy Trinity. The Marian Column is also one of Žleby’s cultural monuments. In the wider regional area lies the Church of St. George.

More Destinations for Your Research

For further research in the same broader area, you can also explore Řendějov, Petrovice Ii, Kluky, Rašovice, Rataje Nad Sázavou-Malovidy, Šebestěnice, Souňov and Černíny .

To the broader travel overview: Kutná Hora District.