Benátky nad Jizerou Château

Perched on a hill in Nové Benátky, surrounded by a vineyard and park, stands an impressive château from the early 16th century. With its expansive Renaissance design and Baroque modifications, it commands attention and, along with the nearby Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, forms a defining landmark of the town. Today, the château serves various purposes, housing the town hall, offices, a private toy museum, and a branch of the Mladá Boleslav Museum.

The museum’s exhibits reflect the château’s rich history, highlighting the notable figures connected to it and the town. The first section covers the region’s flora and fauna, followed by a display on the Lords of Dražice, a noble family key to Benátky’s founding. An exhibit on Tycho Brahe honors the Danish astronomer, once a resident of the château. The composer Bedřich Smetana, also closely tied to Benátky, is commemorated with a memorial hall, a monument in the château park, and a plaque above the entrance.

• Interesting fact: One evening, a servant arrived at the door of the young and poor Bedřich Smetana with an invitation to the Thun family’s palace, the then owners of the château in Benátky. Prince Leopold, not fully trusting the young Smetana’s appearance, asked him to play a challenging piano piece. Smetana played it flawlessly, and from that moment, he became the piano teacher for Leopold’s children at the château, staying there until 1847.

The memorial hall is not only dedicated to Bedřich Smetana but also honors the musically talented Benda family. One exhibit focuses on Johann von Werth, who played a key role in the château’s Baroque renovation. And for nostalgia lovers, especially children, there’s the Merkur construction set! This long-term exhibition celebrates another famous Benátky native, Jaroslav Vancl, whose building sets were once the dream of nearly every young boy.

Where to next?

The regional museum has several other fascinating branches. Aviation enthusiasts should check out the Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum in Mladá Boleslav. If you’re in the area, check out the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav for car history, and visit Loučeň Castle with its labyrinth garden. Don’t miss the Smetana Memorial in Jabkenice for a dive into the composer’s life. For kids, Botanicus in Ostrá offers interactive fun with traditional crafts, and Mirakulum in Milovice is an adventure park with plenty of attractions for the whole family!