Cesky Sternberk Castle: tickets, opening hours and the route from Prague
Český Šternberk Castle stands on a rock above the Sázava River. For almost eight centuries, the fortress has belonged to the descendants of its founder. One adult ticket costs 250 Kč, and a tour in English or German costs 300 Kč (as of 09/2026, castle website). Below are the opening hours by month, prices, main halls, and the route from Prague.
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History of the castle and its owners
💡 In short:
- The fortress was founded around 1241 and still belongs to the same family, now in its 20th generation (as of 09/2026, castle page).
- Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.
The castle was founded around 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov. The fortress got its name from the founder's coat of arms, a golden eight-pointed star. In German, "Stern" means star and "Berg" means mountain. So the star on the mountain became Sternberk.
At first it was a Gothic fortress on a rock. Towers with arrow slits defended the walls, and the river and a deep ravine protected the approaches. Later, long-range cannons exposed the weak points of the fortifications.
© Evgeny L. · CC BY-SAPhoto: Evgeny L., CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsIn the 15th century, the castle endured prolonged wars and several sieges. In 1467 it was taken by storm and then rebuilt over a long period (as of 09/2026, castle chronicle). Gradually the fortress lost its military significance, and its owners turned their attention to comfort.
A major reconstruction took place in the second half of the 17th century. Behind the Gothic walls, Baroque halls appeared with stucco and painted decoration. In the 19th century, the facade was redone in a restrained Romantic style, and the castle acquired its current appearance: an elongated four-story building that follows the curve of the rock.
After World War II, the castle was nationalized, and in 1992 it was returned to the family under the restitution law. Today the castle remains a lived-in family seat, not just a museum.
What to see inside the castle
The tour covers fifteen halls where furnishings from different eras have been preserved (as of 09/2026, castle website). Visitors are led through a glass arched gallery that in the Middle Ages was an open inner courtyard.
© Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BYPhoto: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe largest space is the Knights' Hall. Its walls and ceiling are covered with bas-reliefs by Italian masters, and portraits of notable Bohemian figures and members of the Sternberg family hang on the walls. The room is lit by massive crystal chandeliers.
The Hunting Hall showcases the nobility's favorite pastime. Here you will see rifles, muskets, daggers, and hunting trophies that the owners collected over centuries. Among the unusual exhibits, a crocodile skin spread out on the floor stands out.
The ladies' chambers feature furniture with curved legs. An antique mirror hangs on the wall, tied to a legend: a woman who looks into it does not age for ten years, but during that time she must not look into any other mirrors.
The dining room is filled with porcelain and silverware. They are displayed on the shelves of antique cabinets and sideboards, with a long dining table in the center.
In the other halls you will see a library and collections of engravings, smoking pipes, clocks, and antique children's toys. A particular pride of the castle, its collection of copper engravings from the Thirty Years' War, is considered one of the largest in Europe (as of 09/2026, castle website).
The legend of the lost treasure
A legend about a treasure is connected to the medieval castle. Once, the Sternbergs sold one of their palaces at a good price. The owner returned to the family estate with a large sum and gave it to a loyal servant to hide the treasure. The times were turbulent, and the castle could have been attacked by robbers. The servant carried out the task, but on the way he fell from his horse and died before he could say where the treasure was hidden. Since then, the treasure has been searched for without success.
Opening hours and prices 2026
The castle operates mainly from April to October, and in winter it opens on selected dates and by prior arrangement (as of 09/2026, castle opening hours). Mondays are usually a day off, but in July and August it is open on Mondays as well. The last tour starts one hour before closing.
Month | Opening days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
April | Saturday and Sunday | 9:00-17:00 |
May | Tuesday-Sunday | 9:00-17:00 |
June | Tuesday-Friday | 9:00-17:00 |
June | Saturday and Sunday | 9:00-18:00 |
July and August | daily | 9:00-18:00 |
September | Tuesday-Sunday | 9:00-17:00 |
October | Saturday and Sunday | 9:00-17:00 |
An adult ticket costs 250 Kč in Czech and 300 Kč in English, German, French, or Russian (as of 09/2026, ticket prices). Children aged 4-15 pay 100 Kč, young people aged 16-24 and visitors over 65 pay 200 Kč. The same website sells tickets online, and they sell out in advance for popular dates.
Want to see the castle along with the surrounding area? A ready-made tour from Prague is a good option.
Tours and tickets in Cesky Sternberk
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How to get there from Prague
The castle stands above the Sázava River near the town of Vlašim in the Benešov district. From Prague you can get here by train to the Český Šternberk station. Another option: a bus from the Roztyly bus station to Vlašim and local transport to the castle. By car, the journey takes less than an hour. There is parking at the castle.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much does a ticket to Český Šternberk Castle cost?
An adult ticket costs 250 Kč in Czech and 300 Kč in a foreign language (as of 09/2026, castle rates). Reduced prices for children, young people, and seniors are listed in the prices section.
When is the castle closed to visitors?
The fortress is usually closed on Mondays, with the exception of July and August (as of 09/2026, castle schedule). In April and October, only Saturday and Sunday are open. The castle is completely closed from December 23 to 26. The last tour starts one hour before the end of the working day.
How to get to the castle from Prague?
Without a car, the most convenient option is to take a train to the Český Šternberk station. For drivers, the route on the map will help plan the journey.
Can I come with children?
For families, the castle runs a separate tour called "Poznej rodové sídlo Sternbergů", designed for children aged 5-10 (as of 09/2026, castle website). It runs on weekends at 11:15 and 14:15. They recommend one adult per child, and it is best to book tickets online.
Are there tours in German or English?
Yes, the castle offers tours in English, German, French and Russian, but only by prior arrangement (as of 09/2026, foreign-language tours). For the Czech tour, texts in these languages are provided free of charge. You should book a tour at least a day in advance.
In short: what to book
If you have one free day, get your ticket online and arrive by nine in the morning, when there are few tour groups. If you want to see more in a single trip, then check out tours from Prague on GetYourGuide. If you are traveling with children aged 5-10, choose the weekend family program. The best time to visit is spring and early fall: in summer the rooms are stuffy and noisy with groups.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.