This castle, as if from a fairytale, appears before you in an unexpected place, only a 10-minute drive from the spa town of Františkovy Lázně. Built on a high rocky spur above the Slatinný brook, with its foundation dating back to the late 12th century, Seeberg Castle is among the oldest castles in the West Bohemian Cheb region.
The Seeberg estate flourished until the Thirty Years' War, when the Swedes burned down the castle in 1648. Vít Dětřich of Steinheim later bought and rebuilt the castle, but after his death, the Czech crown fell and finally in 1703 the city of Cheb purchased it. And thus, the separate existence of the Seeberg Castle ended.
Since 1986, the castle has been managed by the City of Františkovy Lázně and undergone a general reconstruction. It was re-opened to the public in 1990, with its operation, modifications and expositions under the auspices of the Museum of Františkovy Lázně.
“It’s as if the romantic castle and its surroundings were made for filmmakers. It’s perfect for fairytales or period pieces. Anyone looking just to shoot an interesting story in the romantic countryside would also surely love it,” says Hana Cestrová, the castle’s châtelaine.
“It would be a joy for us to see our castle on screen. I think it’s worthy of it. If need be, it is possible to agree on full access for a certain period or to reserve a part of the castle solely for the use of the filmmakers, “she adds.
“The building is very diverse, from the northern Romanesque palace and walls to the Gothic forecourt, the perimeter walls of the barn and stable and the Gothic palace on the south side of the headland, to the Renaissance facade of the palace and its parks. We also find a distinctive baroque footprint, especially in the barracks by the barn and stable, “says Petr Židlický of the Karlovy Vary Film Office.
In the oldest part of the castle are the original open-hearth kitchen and Knights’ Hall. In the castle palace, on two floors, is an exposition of the 19th-century interior development from Empire to Chippendale style. In the forecourt is an open-air folk architecture exposition, representing the life of villagers around Cheb in the 19th century. In the barn and granary are agricultural tools, furniture and equipment of the rural households of our great-great-grandparents.
“The Knights’ Hall is the largest room in the castle, measuring 9 x 14 meters and with a 3.8-meter-high ceiling. There is just as much space on the floor below, which is almost empty and therefore suitable for any use. Another interesting space for shooting, is the baroque barn in the first courtyard, not only due to the large spaces but also thanks to the period furniture, tools and household equipment,” says Hana Cestrová, the castle’s chatelaine.
Petr Židlický of the regional film office notes that it is also well worth exploring the nearby countryside. In the picturesque valley of the Slatinný brook, which accentuates the romantic form of the castle, is a chapel by the spring from 1712, a Hussar Cross from the Seven Years War, and when crossing the old bridge over the Slatinný brook at a height of 20 meters, it is possible to travel from the St. Wolfgang church from 1470 back to the parking lot at the foot of the castle. The church itself has always been of great importance to the castle, and is now also owned by the municipality, which wants to restore it to its former glory.
A varied landscape of ponds, forests and meadows in tandem with the surrounding villages creates an atmosphere of a time gone by. In the villages themselves, you will find typical half-wooden houses and farm buildings, such as in Táborská, Polná or Poustka, where there is such a farmhouse with a historic columbary for keeping pigeons. Seeberg Association includes local breeders, thanks to whom there are also herds of horses, a herd of several dozen Cameroon goats and even alpacas on a nearby farm.
Karlovy Vary Region Film Office, Petr Židlický, petr.zidlicky@kr-karlovarsky.cz, +420 736 650 129
