Sloupno – Castle History on the Cidlina

Sloupno combines a multifaceted castle history with the river landscape of the Cidlina. At the eastern edge of the village, the river flows in the riverbed known as the “Mlýnská Cidlina”. Those who want to combine culture and nature on their trip to the Czech Republic will find two clearly distinct themes here: the development of a historic residence and natural areas along the river.

Sloupno Castle as the Centre of the Village’s History

The history of today’s castle goes back to a Renaissance fortress built in Sloupno around the middle of the 16th century. It was later extended in the Baroque style and converted into a castle as a Benedictine residence. Today’s castle was built after the middle of the 18th century under Abbot Benno I Löbl and served the Břevnov-Broumov Monastery. The year 1748 offers a particularly specific insight into its construction history: at that time, Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer prepared the design for today’s Sloupno Castle.

The castle’s subsequent development is also part of the character of the village. Sloupno Castle has been gradually and extensively reconstructed since 1996. The overall renovation was divided into five stages, and a project was also prepared to save the cultural monument. The property was included in the Czech programme for the rescue of the architectural heritage. When choosing accommodation, this focus above all represents a matter of preference: you can view Sloupno as a destination for historical discoveries or combine the village with the river landscape and its natural features, without having to separate the two.

Traces of History Outside the Castle

Among the smaller but memorable details in the village is a monument to Josef Eduard Proche. It was erected in 1958 in front of the cemetery in Sloupno. Another historical trace leads to a field path towards Starý Bydžov: a wooden cross commissioned by the estate manager Jiří Hovad still stands there today. Such points complement a visit to the castle with connections to the history of the village and the estate.

Sloupno is also associated with a tradition concerning Jan Amos Komenský. He is said to have hidden for some time on the Sloupno estate in a Renaissance fortress before going into exile in Poland.

The Cidlina and “Libernáč sloupenský”

The Cidlina characterises Sloupno not only as a river name. Along its entire length, its area contains natural habitats on both banks with diverse and rare flora and fauna. The river is a destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

A regional detail from cultural history also fits this picture. The apple variety cultivated in 1894 was called “Libernáč sloupenský”. It represents a specific local feature that reveals another facet of Sloupno alongside the castle, fortress and river.

A Past Event

The way Sloupno Castle has been used for cultural purposes is illustrated by a documented event from the recent past: on 23 November 2025, “Vítání adventu” included a Christmas-themed sales exhibition and an Advent concert. This date is in the past and is therefore not an indication of a current events calendar; it nevertheless illustrates the castle’s connection with cultural occasions.

Other Places in the Same Higher-Level Destination

If you would like to compare other places in the same higher-level destination with Sloupno, you can find Stěžery, Humburky, Hlušice, Starý Bydžov, Lišice, Roudnice, Osičky and Čistěves here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Hradec Králové District.