At Velhartice, visitors will enjoy an engaging search for the crown jewels

The building of the exhibition was preceded by a complete renovation of the cellars of the southern palace, including the renovation of the stone facade. The project for a total of 18.8 million crowns was supported by funds from the Ministry of Culture. Previously, the premises were used as warehouses. “The intention to build this sightseeing route dates back to 2016-2017, when the first libretto of the exposition was created, and I am very pleased that it has been realized after seven years. I believe that with an unconventional sightseeing route that combines modern audiovisual technology with a guide’s interpretation, we will appeal to the younger generation and those visitors who already know Velhartice,” said Naďa Goryczková, director general of the National Monuments Institute.

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Part of the construction project was the repair of the stone part of the facade of Huert’s wing, during which it was possible to save fragments of valuable historical plaster.

The new Šumavská klenotnice circuit was created in 2022 and is a unique combination of audio and video technology with key moments in the history of Velhartice Castle. Such a spectacle is unique among monuments. “The empty spaces under the southern palace allowed us to implement a route that could become an inspiration for other historic buildings as well. To the maximum extent possible, we preserve the authenticity of the premises and at the same time use the current possibilities of technology,” explained Matěj Mejstřík, castellan of Velhartice Castle and co-author of the new exhibition.

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The tour attracts attention from the very beginning, bringing to life the fascinating story of the secret transport and storage of the crown jewels in the castle in the dramatic period after the Hussite wars. “This is a very significant historical event connected with our castle, which is not widely known and has not yet been sufficiently researched or presented. Moreover, this is a completely unprecedented matter. Never before or since have the Czech crown jewels been illegally transported and hidden in a private noble residence. As part of regular tours, we only marginally address this topic, so we decided to bring it to the visitors in more detail,” explained Mejstřík.

Visitors will get to know the then owner of the castle and the initiator of the transfer of the crown jewels, Menhart from Hradec, as well as his political rival Jiří from Poděbrady.

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The exhibition also includes archaeological finds, copies of preserved documents, chests and boxes for keeping jewels, as well as the crown jewels themselves, presented in the form of a hologram. Visitors will be able to touch and try out a number of exhibits. “I believe that this new tour route will bring visitors who have already visited us several times, and Velhartice will be a castle that will pleasantly surprise them,” Mejstřík concluded.

The new Šumavská klenotnice sightseeing tour opens for the public1. May. The guided guided tour is intended for a maximum of 12 people in a group and always starts at 11 a.m. The single entrance fee is 220 crowns. Tickets can be purchased online on the Velhartice State Castle website.