The castle was built on the site of an earlier 16th-century fortress, remnants of which are still visible in the foundation.
The 'sala terrena' grottoes were specifically engineered to cool the ground floor rooms during summer months using natural water circulation.
Emperor Ferdinand I, the last Bohemian king to be crowned in Prague, lived in the castle after his abdication in 1848.
The palace has served as a filming location for numerous international and Czech fairy-tale films due to its authentic historical preservation.
The ceiling paintings in the main hall represent one of the most significant works by the baroque painter Václav Vavřinec Reiner.
The garden was originally laid out as a French-style park before being reconfigured into the English landscape style seen today.
Architect Octavio Broggio designed the palace, integrating traditional central European layouts with Italian-style loggias.
Ploskovice Castle is a high-baroque summer residence situated in the Litoměřice district, built in the early 18th century for Anna Maria Franziska of Tuscany. The palace is renowned for its artificial grottoes, known as 'sala terrena,' located on the ground floor, which feature water fountains and elaborate shell-covered decor. The interior preserves original wall paintings by Václav Vavřinec Reiner and ceiling frescoes. Following its role as a private residence, it served as the summer retreat for the abdicated Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria in the mid-19th century. The estate includes a vast English-style park featuring a historical fountain and rare tree species. The architecture adheres to the Italian-influenced style, reflecting the aristocratic tastes of the time. The site is currently managed by the National Heritage Institute and remains a primary example of transitional Baroque architecture in the Czech Republic.
The central fountain and the exterior facade from the lower garden terrace.
Prioritize the guided tour to access the private apartments and the grotto chambers.
Explore the periphery of the park to see the old orchard and the historical irrigation system.
Check for temporary exhibitions in the castle gallery, which often display local historical artifacts.
Do not attempt to walk through restricted residential wings of the castle; stay within the marked tour paths.
Closed on Mondays; traditionally closed during the winter season, typically operating from April through October.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited inside the historical interiors; respect all marked floor boundaries.
