Zásmuky - Chateau

The town of Zásmuky, located 16 km southeast of Kolín, boasts a rich history dating back to the 13th century. The town is dominated by a Baroque Franciscan monastery and an extensive chateau complex, which has been a listed cultural monument since 1964.

The original seat of the nobles of Zásmuky, the first of whom was recorded in 1285 as Sulislav, was a residence of unknown details. It was replaced by a Gothic fortress built by his descendant Ctibor, the remains of which (the so-called Old Castle) have been preserved in the cellar of the farm building at No. 380. In 1533, the estate was acquired by Adam of Říčany, who had a two-story Renaissance chateau built with three residential wings adorned with arcades. After a period of instability and looting during the Thirty Years’ War, Zásmuky was acquired in 1635 by the Šternberks, with whom the history of the local manor is most closely associated.

Oldřich Adolf Vratislav of Šternberk initiated a major Baroque reconstruction of the Zásmuky chateau. He enclosed the courtyard with a south wing, built a prismatic tower in the courtyard, and established the chateau chapel of St. Wenceslas within the interiors. He also built a park with a grotto (sala terrena) and a game reserve with a pheasantry in the vicinity of the castle. He equipped the entrance to the grounds with a massive gate tower, which he adorned with the family coat of arms. During the 19th century, the castle underwent only minor alterations (bricking up of the arcades, temporary installation of a turret on the small tower).

The fate of Zásmuky Castle was tragically marked by the 20th century. During World War II, it was administered by the Nazis, and after 1948 it was nationalized and its furnishings looted. Under the administration of the army, which used the building as a warehouse, the castle fell into disrepair, and in 1982 it was severely damaged by fire. After 1990, the property was restored to Franziska Diana Sternberg, who began extensive renovations. The estate is currently owned by Henry Seilern und Aspang, the grandson of Franziska Diana Sternberg.