Potštejn offers several ways to explore cultural history: the castle is the subject of an exhibition and a Stations of the Cross, while the chateau comes to life through its architectural history and tours of its interiors. There is also sacred art and a military museum. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the options: the chateau offers regular tours of its interiors; the Vojenské muzeum Potštejn is open to visitors only by prior arrangement by email. This lets you choose according to whether you are particularly interested in castle history, architecture or a collection.

Castle and chateau: history and tours

The fourth entrance gate of Potštejn Castle houses an exhibition on the castle’s history. It focuses on the history of this building. Potštejn Chateau was built in 1749 by Count Jan Ludvík Harbuval Chamaré. Here, the castle and chateau represent different historical themes: the exhibition is about the castle, while the tours on offer cover the chateau’s interiors.

In addition to regular tours of the interiors, the chateau also offers entertaining tours in Baroque costumes. If you would like to include a tour in your plans, check the dates in advance, as the schedule may change. The chateau’s construction in 1749 is close in time to the approximate date of the Stations of the Cross, around 1750; however, these dates relate to different architectural and cultural topics.

The Křížová cesta Stations of the Cross

The Křížová cesta Stations of the Cross leads from Městečko to Potštejn Castle and was established around 1750 by Anna Barbora Harbuval ze Chamaré. Its final station is called Boží hrob. It is located in the lower castle courtyard, opposite the Baroque Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk. This identifies both the route and a specific place at its end.

The approximate date and the name of its founder are useful for context, as are the details of the final station. There, Boží hrob stands opposite the chapel; the chapel is also explicitly described as Baroque. This gives you a sense of the Stations of the Cross not only through its route from Městečko to the castle, but also through its named endpoint.

Sacred buildings and art

The Church of St. Lawrence in Potštejn was remodelled in the Empire style between 1815 and 1821. The church contains an altarpiece of St. Lawrence by Antonín Machek, dating from 1819. The painting was therefore created during the stated remodelling period. Visitors interested in art and architecture will find two comparable dates here: the multi-year remodelling of the church and the year the altarpiece was painted.

The present-day prayer house of the Unity of the Brethren in Potštejn dates from 1899. It adds a later-dated building to the sacred sites covered here. Together with the Church of St. Lawrence, it shows that Potštejn’s religious architectural history spans more than one period.

Visiting the Vojenské muzeum Potštejn

The collection of the Vojenské muzeum Potštejn currently comprises more than 400 exhibits, the vast majority of which are historical originals. Since the collection size may change, “currently” is an important time qualification. Special arrangements apply to visits: the museum is open to visitors only by prior arrangement by email. So don’t plan it as a spontaneous stop; arrange your visit in advance this way. This differs from planning for the regular tour programme at the chateau.

Discover more destinations: Očelice, Olešnice U Rychnova Nad Kněžnou, Záměl, Synkov-Slemeno, Kostelec Nad Orlicí, Bílý Újezd, Deschney, Borohrádek.

For the overview of the wider area: Okres Rychnov Nad Kněžnou.