Ostrov Nad Ohří combines the history of its castle and exhibitions with opportunities for walking and sports in a protected pond area. The town offers a range of attractions to explore.

Castle, Monastery and Town Hall

The Zámek Ostrov complex originated as a fortified town castle. Around the turn of the 16th century, Kašpar Šlik had it converted into a Renaissance château. In the Dvorana, visitors can see an exhibition on the castle’s history and an exhibition about Ostrov porcelain. The latter is dedicated to the once-famous, now-defunct Pfeiffer and Löwenstein Schlackenwerth porcelain factory. The exhibitions thus highlight different aspects of history: the story of the castle and that of porcelain.

Today, all buildings in the Klášter Ostrov – Posvátný okrsek monastery complex, except for the monastery convent, are open to the public and serve as museum exhibition spaces. This exception is important when planning a visit: the other buildings are open to the public, but the convent is not.

Stará radnice Ostrov offers another perspective. The Gothic-Renaissance building is in the town’s historic centre, on Staré náměstí, where exhibitions by local and regional artists are held regularly. The “Hodinové stroje a strojky” exhibition features clock mechanisms whose history dates back to the 16th century. Stará radnice thus brings together changing art exhibitions and historic technology.

Exhibitions at Letohrádek

Letohrádek Ostrov houses a branch of the Galerie umění Karlovy Vary. It presents works by Czech artists in temporary exhibitions, mostly from the first half of the 20th century. The pavilion also houses a permanent porcelain exhibition. Its collection documents porcelain production from its beginnings in the 19th century through the second half of the 20th century.

The temporary exhibitions and the porcelain collection, spanning a broad period, offer different ways to explore art and industrial history. The season is also important when planning a visit: Letohrádek is open from May to October. As seasonal opening hours may change, check the latest visitor information in advance.

Ponds, Walks and Recreation

Borecké rybníky is a group of nine ponds created in the 16th century. Originally used for fish farming and irrigating the surrounding fields, they are now a protected natural monument. Walking and sports opportunities, along with an educational trail, make the area a different kind of discovery from the exhibitions and historic buildings.

Zámecký park is part of the Zámek Ostrov, Palác princů and Letohrádek complex, and extends along both banks of the Jáchymovský potok. Particularly in spring and summer, the park invites visitors to take a stroll and relax on a bench or on the grass. By contrast, Borecké rybníky centres on its educational trail and group of ponds; the park specifically offers places to rest. Those wishing to combine culture with time outdoors can take these different highlights into account when planning their visit.

A Historical Landmark Nearby

In Dolní Žďár u Ostrova, Rudá věž smrti, a national cultural monument, commemorates the intensive uranium mining in the Jáchymov area after the Second World War. Visits are possible by prior arrangement with the owner, the Confederation of Political Prisoners of the Czech Republic. Please arrange your visit with the owner in advance.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Chyše, Žlutice, Horní Blatná, Kyselka, Krásný Les, Abertamy, Vojkovice, Hroznětín.

Back to the regional travel overview: Karlovy Vary Region.