Konopiste

Konopiště Castle was originally founded as a Gothic fortress in the late 13th century. Over time, it was transformed into a Renaissance and later a Baroque residence. Its most famous owner, Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este, purchased it in 1887 and turned it into a luxurious aristocratic home filled with art, armour, and exotic memorabilia.

After his assassination in Sarajevo in 1914, the castle became a silent witness to history. Today, it stands perfectly preserved — an elegant reminder of Europe’s final imperial era before the world changed forever.

Character & feeling of this place

Konopiště feels peaceful yet regal. The smell of pine from the park, the echo of footsteps in marble corridors, and the distant cry of peacocks — all merge into a timeless atmosphere. It’s less about grandeur, more about quiet dignity.

• The castle hides over 100,000 hunting trophies.

  Franz Ferdinand was an avid hunter — his record includes more than 270,000 animals shot. Today, his collection fills nearly every hallway.

• Franz Ferdinand’s car is in the museum.

  The Gräf & Stift automobile in which he and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo is part of the castle’s exhibition — one of history’s most chilling relics.

• There’s a secret passage beneath the castle.

  Local legends say it once led to the nearby village — though no one’s found it yet. Maybe that’s how the peacocks escape.