Žehušice combines a white deer tradition dating back more than 150 years with a rich architectural history. During your stay, you can focus on two different aspects: the landscape of the Žehušická Game Reserve and the town’s historic buildings.

The Žehušická Game Reserve and its history

The Žehušická Game Reserve has existed in its present form since 1867. It covers 270 hectares and lies between Žehušice and Bojmany. One of the world’s few herds of white deer has been kept here for more than 150 years. The municipality puts the herd’s population at around 130 animals. The game reserve thus combines a long tradition of keeping these animals with a clearly defined landscape. The former dam of the Kravinec pond forms the main circular route through the reserve; the former pond layout is therefore part of its present-day landscape.

Another natural and garden feature of the town is the château park in Žehušice. It contains rare woody plants and is considered a dendrological site. The park is currently not open to the public. Its landscape significance and the opportunity to visit are therefore two separate matters.

The Château and the Old Château

Žehušice Château was built in the Baroque style by Francesco Carati in 1679. In 1826, Count Josef Matyáš Thun redesigned it in the Empire style. The château is currently not open to the public. Its architectural history comprises two clearly distinct phases: its Baroque construction and its later redesign in the Empire style.

The Old Château, Starý zámek, preserves the core of a Gothic fortress that was rebuilt in the 16th century. Remnants of sgraffito remain on the façades; other features include a Gothic gate, a Renaissance portal and Renaissance window surrounds. Starý zámek is also considered the birthplace of horn virtuoso Jan Václav Stich, who became known in Italy as Giovanni Punto. Architectural and musical history thus meet in one place.

Church and musical tradition

The Church of St Mark (Kostel sv. Marka) is a late Baroque building dating from 1760. It can be visited during regular services. If you plan to include the church in your trip, check the service schedule in advance.

The annual Slavnost lesního rohu music festival is also dedicated to Jan Václav Stich. It takes place every year in June and celebrates Žehušice’s musical connection. The festival’s name refers to the French horn, the instrument with which Stich is associated as a virtuoso.

Other historic buildings

Žehušice’s historic brewery building was constructed at the end of the 17th century and was given a Baroque exterior. Brewing ended in the early 20th century. The building is therefore part of the town’s architectural and industrial history; the former brewing tradition should not be confused with a current operation.

The estate granary complex is described as the oldest Renaissance tower granary in the district. Its features include slit-like windows. Along with the château buildings and the church, it adds another type of historic architecture to the picture of Žehušice: the granary.

Plan when to visit

For other kinds of trips, it is worth keeping the different visiting arrangements in mind: the château and château park are currently not open to the public, while the church can be visited during regular services. You can plan your stay around the music event or your interest in history and architecture.

Discover more destinations: Suchdol, Čestín, Stipoklasy, Zruc Nad Sázavou, Vidice, Kluky, Zbraslavice, Horka I.

View the overview of the wider region: Okres Kutná Hora.