In Žebrák, views, astronomy and town history offer a variety of ways to explore. The castle tower serves as a viewpoint; the observatory combines scheduled sessions with activities that depend on the weather. The museum, gallery and historic works of art add further points of interest. When planning your visit, it is therefore worth distinguishing between fixed appointments, seasonal exhibitions and weather-dependent observations.
Castle Views and the Observatory
The tower of Žebrák Castle now serves as an observation tower. As access conditions may vary, check them before your visit. The Žebrák Observatory offers a different perspective on the sky: it regularly holds observation sessions scheduled in advance, observations of extraordinary celestial events, and additional sessions arranged at short notice depending on the weather. You can reserve observation sessions in advance.
The observatory offers tours of its rooms and equipment, as well as presentations. Highlights include a visit to the dome with the main telescope and an exhibition about the ESO Universe. In favorable conditions and clear skies, you can observe the Sun during the day and interesting celestial objects at night. The distinction between the formats is also important for planning: regular sessions are scheduled in advance, additional sessions may be added at short notice, and the observations themselves require clear conditions.
Museum and Gallery in Town
The town museum is housed in a former school building on Žebrák’s main square. It features two permanent exhibitions and one seasonal exhibition. This combines a permanent exhibition element with a seasonal one; the specific displays may change. Access to exhibitions may also vary by season. So check which exhibits are open before your visit.
The Church of St. Lawrence stands in the middle of the main square. The Jaroslav Hněvkovský Gallery has a different focus from the town museum: it is a permanent exhibition devoted to the artist, complemented by photographs and sketches. While the museum has two permanent exhibitions and one seasonal exhibition, the gallery focuses on one artist and the accompanying visual materials.
A Work of Art with a Changing History
East of the Church of St. Lawrence, on the axis of the presbytery, stands a group of sculptures of St. John of Nepomuk by Karel Josef Hiernle, dating from 1727. From 1982 to 2018, it was housed in a restoration studio and lapidarium. After its restoration and return, it was placed in a pentagonal glass display case to protect it from the weather. Details of the artist, date and precise location make this work a distinct art-historical point of interest alongside the town’s exhibitions.
Žebrák on a Cycling Route Description
A route description for the Berounsko region, published in 2026, passes through Žebrák on cycle route No. 0033 after a visit to the ruins of Žebrák Castle and Točník Castle. This makes the town part of a described cycling route linking castles. If you plan to ride this route, check the route number and the surface conditions in advance, as both may change.
Discover more destinations: Chrustenice, Liteň, Stašov, Vráž, Karlstejn, Vinařice, Svatá, Velký Chlumec
For the broader travel overview: Okres Beroun.
