On 27 September 2026 the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) opened its castles, chateaux and other monuments free of charge in all regions of Czechia for the second time. A total of 106 sites managed by the NPÚ took part in the open day, and a visit required a ticket reserved in advance for a specific time or tour route.[1][2] The event followed the Ministry of Culture's spring pilot project, in which selected state museums and galleries were opened free of charge on Sundays; this project continued in autumn 2026 on the first Sunday of every month.[1]
Participating monuments
Almost all monuments managed by the NPÚ took part in the event, with the most, 15 in total, in the South Moravian Region.[1][2][3] In Prague, only the gardens below Prague Castle were accessible free of charge, while Invalidovna, which the NPÚ also manages, has been closed for reconstruction since August 2026.[1][2][3]
Interest and reservations
There was great interest in the free tickets, and most of them had been reserved before the event took place.[1][2][3] In the gardens below Prague Castle, castellan Helena Špáňová expected about 800 visitors on Sunday, whereas on an ordinary Sunday no more than 300 come.[4] Reservations there were sold out, and according to the castellan, visitors this time were mostly from Czechia, whereas the gardens are otherwise visited mainly by foreigners; a regular ticket costs 180 crowns.[4] Visitors to the gardens had a reserved arrival hour, but the length of stay was not limited, and they walked through the gardens without a guide. The garden administration also opened the second Ledeburský průjezd on Sunday, so that people did not have to return by the same route when leaving.[4]
First round in August 2026
Visitors were first able to take advantage of free tours at the end of August 2026.[1][2][3] About 1,400 people visited Bečov castle and chateau in the Karlovy Vary Region then, twice the usual attendance, and Zákupy chateau in the Česká Lípa area received about a third more visitors than usual.[1][2][3] The Ministry of Culture planned to repeat free visits to state castles and chateaux in the following year as well.[1][2][3]
Related articles: National Heritage Institute
Chronology
- — 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 — 27 September 2026
- iDNES.cz — 27 September 2026