National Heritage Institute

The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) is an organization that administers state castles, chateaux and other heritage sites located in all regions of the Czech Republic. In September 2026 it organized an open-doors day for the second time, during which 106 sites under its administration were opened free of charge; admission required a ticket reserved in advance for a specific time or tour route.[1][2]^*

Network of sites

Almost all monuments administered by the NPÚ took part in the free-admission event. The largest number of sites, 15 in total, are located in the South Moravian Region.[1][2] In Prague, only the gardens below Prague Castle were open free of charge, because Invalidovna, which the NPÚ also administers, has been closed since August 2026 for reconstruction.[1][2] On this occasion the administration of the Prague gardens also opened a second Ledeburský průjezd, so that visitors would not have to leave by the same route.[4]

Free days in 2026

Visitors were first able to use free tours of NPÚ sites at the end of August 2026, and a second time in September of the same year.[1][2] There was great interest in the free tickets, and most of them had already been reserved before the event took place.[1][2][3] According to the castellan Helena Špáňová, about 800 visitors were expected in the gardens below Prague Castle, whereas on an ordinary Sunday at most 300 come; a ticket to the gardens normally costs 180 korun.[4] Visitors during the event were predominantly Czechs, although the gardens are otherwise visited mainly by foreigners.[4]

Visitor numbers at the sites

During the first free day in August 2026, about 1,400 people visited Bečov Castle and Chateau in the Karlovy Vary region, which is double the usual attendance.[1][2][3][4] Zákupy Chateau in the Česká Lípa district received about one third more visitors than usual.[1][2][3][4]

Connection to Ministry of Culture policy

The free admissions to NPÚ sites follow on from a spring pilot project of the Ministry of Culture, during which selected state museums and galleries were opened free of charge on Sundays.[1][2][3][4] This project continues in autumn 2026, on the first Sunday of every month.[1][2][3][4] The ministry plans free visits to state castles and chateaux administered by the NPÚ in the following year as well.[1][2][3][4]

Chronology

September 27, 2026 — The National Heritage Institute opened 106 state castles, chateaux and other monuments free of charge for the second time; entry required a ticket reserved in advance. → ČTK / České noviny Seznam Zprávy

Pages linking here

Sources

ČTK / České noviny — 27 September 2026
Seznam Zprávy — 27 September 2026
Pražský deník — 25 September 2026
iDNES.cz — 27 September 2026

* The sources are collected and the preliminary text of this entry is drafted with artificial intelligence, on the instruction of the editorial staff; the entry has not yet been verified by an editor — report a mistake.