Klenová brings together the history of a castle and a later chateau with modern art, historic interiors and seasonal exhibitions. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the architectural features from different periods and programs whose dates you should check in advance.
Castle, Chateau and Architectural Changes
The origins of Klenová Castle date back to the second half of the 13th century. In the 19th century, Count Joseph Philip Edward Stadion-Warthausen and Thannhausen had a chateau built in the area of the southern fortifications. Klenová thus represents different building phases: the medieval origins of the castle and the later construction of the chateau. The western part of the chateau is designed in the Neo-Gothic style and is considered one of the earliest examples of this style in Bohemia.
The castle moat also shows how the complex has changed: it survives around almost the entire castle, but was filled in in front of the chateau in the 1830s. The “Stadionská” Chapel is notable in Bohemia for its preserved interior, which was not altered later. After a collapse, the area in question was redesigned as a viewing terrace in the 19th century.
The restored “Stadionská” Chapel was reopened to visitors on 1 April 2017 as part of a guided tour with commentary. If you are planning to visit the chapel, check the current guided-tour options. This keeps the reopening at that time distinct from planning a visit today.
Art in the Chateau and Sculpture Park
The permanent exhibition at Klenová Chateau presents Czech modern art from the gallery’s collection in four salons. It is complemented by historic furniture and 19th-century interiors. The display thus brings modern art together with furnishings from an earlier century. The works on display may change.
The sculpture park in the castle grounds features works by Vincenc Vingler, Jiří Seifert, Jaroslav Róna, Václav Fiala, Márius Kotrba and Anton Čierny. Individual works may also change here. The park extends the artistic dimension beyond the chateau’s salons, bringing different forms of art presentation together in Klenová.
Seasonal Exhibitions and Their Dates
At the beginning of each exhibition season, the recurring “Cesta” exhibition gives children a space to present their work in the granary. Visitors vote for a work, and a professional jury of art historians from the gallery and visual artists awards the best creators gold, silver and bronze palettes. The exhibition thus involves both audience participation and awards from a professional jury.
The granary also hosts two recurring exhibitions each year: “Contacts” in the first half of the year and the “START POINT PRIZE” in the second. The programs therefore take place at different times of the year. The dates and details for “Cesta” vary from year to year; you should also check the current schedule for “Contacts” and the “START POINT PRIZE”.
If a particular exhibition or the chapel is the deciding factor for your trip, check your travel dates against the current program or guided-tour options. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can use these dates as a starting point for your planning.
Discover more destinations: Nemilkov, Dešenice, Hojsova Stráž, Plánice, Domoraz, Annín, Zelezná Ruda, Nehodiv.
See the broader travel overview: Okres Klatovy.
