Places

Cervena Lhota Castle, set in the peaceful South Bohemian landscape, is one of the Czech Republic’s most captivating landmarks. Surrounded by a calm lake and framed by forests, the castle’s vivid red walls create a perfect reflection on the still water, making it appear almost like a painting come to life. Its beauty is simple yet striking – a red silhouette rising gracefully from a small rocky island, joined to the shore by an arched stone bridge.

In the heart of Moravia stands Tovacov Castle, a proud sentinel of history surrounded by quiet elegance and timeless charm. Its tall tower rises above the gentle landscape, watching over the nearby ponds and meadows that turn into a serene winter tableau when frost settles across the land.

Nestled on the banks of the Ohre River, Klasterec nad Ohri is a picturesque North Bohemian town that seamlessly blends history, architecture, and natural charm. Surrounded by wooded hills and embraced by the tranquil flow of the river, the town offers a unique atmosphere that feels both peaceful and deeply rooted in centuries of tradition.

Set amid the quiet landscape of southern Moravia, the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station rises above rolling green fields — a striking symbol of modern industry surrounded by nature. The contrast between the massive cooling towers and the gentle countryside creates a powerful visual balance, where human ingenuity meets the enduring calm of the earth.
 

Kreuzenstein Castle rises proudly above the hills north of Vienna, a fairytale silhouette that seems almost too perfect to be real. Seen from below, its towers and battlements appear to emerge straight from a storybook, framed by trees and glowing warmly in the afternoon sun. The castle stands on the site of a medieval fortress destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, later rebuilt in the 19th century by Count Wilczek, who combined genuine medieval fragments with romantic imagination. The result is an extraordinary mix of authenticity and fantasy, where history meets artistry in stone.

Jindrichuv Hradec, one of South Bohemia’s most captivating towns, unfolds around the serene Vajgar Pond, where its grand Renaissance castle dominates the skyline. The calm surface of the water mirrors the white facades and red rooftops, creating a picture of quiet perfection beneath the ever-changing Czech sky. The castle complex, one of the largest in the country, blends Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, telling the story of centuries of noble life and architectural ambition.
 

Perched dramatically upon a sheer granite cliff high above the meandering Dyje River, Vranov nad Dyjí Castle embodies a storybook grandeur that seems tailor-made for romance. From any vantage point, its silhouette commands the landscape, but there is one perspective in particular that feels as though it was crafted by the hand of a poet for lovers and dreamers. This is the view that captures not just the fortress's majesty, but its soul.
 

Telc, a jewel of the Vysocina Region, unfolds like a living painting reflected in the calm waters of its ponds. The town’s charm lies in the perfect balance between nature and architecture—its red rooftops and graceful towers rising above the water’s surface, mirrored in the gentle ripples below. The view captures the quiet rhythm of a town that has preserved its Renaissance soul, offering a peaceful retreat from the rush of modern life.

Slavkov Castle, also known as Austerlitz Castle, rises gracefully above the rolling parkland of South Moravia. The stately Baroque mansion, designed by the Italian architect Domenico Martinelli in the early eighteenth century, remains one of the finest examples of this architectural style in the Czech Republic. Its pale façade and terracotta roofs create a striking contrast against the open sky, exuding quiet grandeur and timeless elegance.

Schloss Eckartsau and Schloss Karlstein are two picturesque castles I have had the pleasure of visiting recently. To be honest, the first one, Schloss Eckartsau, is open to the public, including its extensive parks and gardens. The second one, Schloss Karlstein, can only be admired from the streets of Karlstein an der Thaya, Austria, where it is located. Schloss Karlstein is privately owned, so unfortunately, no tours or public access are available.