Děčín Castle

Wherever you say "Decin", the first thing that comes to mind is the Decin castle. The scenery of the magnificent castle on the rock massif together with the Elbe River and the Tyrš Bridge is nowadays almost iconic. You can find it on almost every postcard in Decin. So come to Děčín and compare the photos with reality.

Děčín Castle is situated above the confluence of the Elbe and Ploučnice rivers and is one of the most important historical monuments in North Bohemia. Not only is it a popular place for tourists from all over the world, but also thanks to its rich cultural programme, it is often visited by local people. Every year, historical festivals, Christmas markets, various festivals, balls and theatre performances are held in the courtyard and in the castle gardens. In summer, there is a summer cinema after dark.

The chateau is surrounded by beautiful gardens and beneath it you will find Marian Meadow, which for many serves as an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy city. The most attractive part of the castle is certainly the Rose Garden. Its charm lies in the combination of exceptional Baroque architecture and the captivating beauty of the blooming roses. The garden is bordered on the west side by a sala terrena (garden hall) with a preserved fresco painting from 1678 and on the east side by a lofty gloriette decorated with a gallery of Baroque sculptures. From the gloriette you have a nice view of the city centre with the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and also of the Kvádrberk lookout. The name of the Rose Garden became widespread after 1881, when one of the most famous rosariums in the Habsburg Monarchy was established here.

Southern Gardens

On the other side of the castle slope you will find the South Gardens, which used to be home to vineyards. In the first half of the 18th century, a Baroque garden in the shape of a pentagon was created here, at the top of which a small but charming tea arbour with sculptural and pictorial decoration was built in 1737. Today, the arbour houses a café and the vineyards no longer occupy as large a part of the gardens as they once did. Nevertheless, they have their uses. In fact, the chateau offers so-called vine adoption, where people are given the opportunity to harvest their own vines and place their name on the vines for two years.

Sightseeing tours

The Golden Years of the Děčín Castle

Walk through the castle in its heyday and glory, just as the composer Fryderyk Chopin, Emperor Franz Joseph I and many other famous personalities did before you. You will see the study and bedroom of the owner of the castle, the Winter Dining Room, the ladies' and gentlemen's salons, the private rooms of other family members, the castle picture gallery and St. George's Chapel

Visit to Prince František Thun

Visit the residence of the former Prime Minister of the Austrian Government and Governor of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Prince František Thun. We invite you to visit his private chambers, children's rooms, the Corner Hall, the Summer Dining Room with its preserved fresco paintings or the Tower Cabinet, from which you will have a breathtaking view of the city and the Elbe River

Baroque pearls of the castle

Discover the most architecturally valuable parts of the castle grounds, which were built at the same time and at the expense of the same builder, Count Maximilian Thun. The tour will take you to the monumental Baroque stables, then to the captivating Rose Garden with its sala terrena and observation deck. From here, you will walk through a covered connecting corridor to the former castle church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which contains many valuable monuments of Baroque art. (Tour duration approx. 60 minutes.)

Děčín Castle also offers tours for families with children (The secret of the castle children a With crayons around the castle), for schools and also for the blind and visually impaired in the form of haptic inspections.

The offer also includes special tour circuit, which will take you not only to the castle and the sub-castle, but also to the historical centre of the town. In less than two hours you will get to know many of the sights of Děčín, you will get a glimpse into the past and present city life and learn interesting facts about the nature of Bohemian Switzerland. The guided tour starts in the castle courtyard by the ticket office and continues through the historical parts of Děčín. You will walk along the Elbe embankment, the castle park and the gardens with a view. Along the way, you will also come across a mythical deer with a burning cross on its forehead, a place for 2,000 roses, the oldest water point in Europe or a unique chain footbridge over the Ploučnice River. You can also pay extra for a combined tour, which includes a look inside the castle. You can also visit the chateau's year-round exhibitions.

Year-round exhibitions at the castle

Historic carriages

It is a varied exhibition of historical carriages of various shapes and types from the years 1850 to 1900. The exhibition of hippomobiles is based on the collections of the Postal Museum in Prague. It is housed in the impressive premises of the castle's Baroque stables.

Děčín Clockmakers

In the castle attic you will find a unique exhibition of clock movements from the collections of private collectors. You will find both classic mechanical clocks and electronic ones.

Opening hours and price list

Complete information about the castle's offer, rental possibilities and current cultural events can be found at official website of the castle.