Panenské Břežany: Castle History and Chapel

In Panenské Břežany, the history and architecture of the castles, and the memory of the Nazi occupation, take centre stage. For planning your trip, it is important to distinguish between the Upper and Lower Castles: the Upper Castle was built around the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries as an economic and administrative centre. During the Nazi occupation, it became the seat of State Secretary Karl Hermann Frank. During the occupation, the Lower Castle first housed Reich Protector Konstantin von Neurath and later Deputy Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich and his family. This sequence reflects the different roles the castles played in the history of the town. In regional comparisons within Central Bohemia and the area around Prague, the Lower Castle is of great architectural, artistic and urban-planning significance; it is a unique building in the region.

St. Anne’s Chapel

St. Anne’s Chapel was built in 1705–1707 to plans by Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel. It is among the architect’s earliest works and is regarded as a prototype of his radial style. The combination of a precise construction date and stylistic classification gives it a distinct architectural-historical significance alongside the history of the castles. The chapel is available year-round as a wedding venue. If you have specific plans for this, check the booking and access conditions in advance.

Exhibition and Remembrance

The first floor of the Upper Castle houses the modern multimedia exhibition “Zločin a trest” (“Crime and Punishment”). It includes a replica of the Pankrác guillotine. The Memorial to National Oppression and Resistance in Panenské Břežany commemorates the Nazi occupation of the Czech lands. The memorial’s current interactive exhibition bears the same title; check the access conditions before your trip. The occupation period is thus reflected both in the history of how the castles were used and as a subject of remembrance.

Educational Programme and Library

The PNUO’s research-based educational programme is intended for grammar-school students, secondary-school students and older primary-school pupils. For teachers, this clear description of the target groups provides a concrete starting point for assessing whether the programme is suitable for the planned learning level. The PNUO library can be used on site after you reserve the materials you want in advance.

Access and Getting There

The castle park is part of the Memorial to National Oppression and Resistance in Panenské Břežany. The Lower Castle and the adjacent park are not open to the public. The castle with the PNÚO exhibition and St. Anne’s Chapel are wheelchair accessible; accessible toilets and a spacious modern lift are also available. Confirm the access conditions before travelling if you specifically wish to visit a particular exhibition or the chapel. Free parking is available in front of the castle; buses must park in the municipal car park on Akátová Street.

Discover more travel destinations: Křenek, Jevany, Sibřina, Dřevčice, Pětihosty, Kunice, Káraný, Zlatá

For the broader travel overview: Okres Praha-Východ.