Czech and Prague Sightseeing

Konopiste

Konopiste is a castle located in the Czech Republic, about 50 km southeast of Prague, outside the city of Benesov. It has become famous as the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir of the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered World War I.
The castle was initially constructed as a Gothic fortification in the 13th century. It was later transformed in a Baroque style. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria bought Konopiste in 1887 and rebuilt it into a luxurious residence of the future Emperor. Since 1921, it has been a property of the Czechoslovak and later Czech state.
Konopiste castle is now open to the public. Visitors can observe the residential rooms of Franz Ferdinand, a large collection of antlers (Franz Ferdinand was an enthusiastic hunter), an armory with medieval weapons, a shooting hall with moving targets and a garden with Italian Renaissance statues and greenhouses. It is a popular place for weddings.
The castle can be toured from April to October. To access it, take a train to Benesov u Prahy (about a one-hour ride) and then walk about 2.5 km from the station.