Bílina (chateau)

The builder of the original castle is most likely Ojíř of Frýdberk, who worked as a nobleman at the court of Wenceslas I and had the castle built in Bílina in the 13th century. The appearance of the medieval castle is not known to us, however, to this day a bastion called Manda has been preserved, built in the late Gothic style and located in the corner of the fort.

In 1421 the castle was conquered by the Hussites and in the 16th century it fell into the hands of the Lobkovic family, who had it rebuilt into a summer residence. The monument underwent further reconstruction between 1675 and 1682, in the early Baroque style, according to the design of G.T.Tentally, an architect named Antonio della Porta.

The Lobkovics owned the Bílín chateau until 1945, when it was nationalized and further building modifications took place in the 19th century. At present, the Bílina chateau is again owned by Lobkovicová and is currently not open to the public.

Today, Bílín Castle has the form of a representative building with two floors and a rectangular floor plan, which is highlighted by corner 3-storey pavilions. The mentioned Gothic bastion Manda, built in the 15th century, is located on the north side of the courtyard.

In the interior it is worth mentioning the Italian hall, decorated with stucco decoration, made in the 17th century. One of the oldest parts of the chateau is the original Gothic cellar, carved into the rock, and in addition to it also the cellar vault, which you will find in the northern pavilion.

The area around the chateau, where the fortified settlement used to be, now surrounds the chateau park.

Author: Andrea Štyndlová