We started looking for the Konopiste forest castle in the Czech Republic. It was already evening, but a big castle can't be that hard to find. Or is it? After a while we realised that the Konopiste castle can be called a "forest castle" precisely because it is very well hidden in the forest... By the time we found it, it was getting dark, and our first encounter with the castle was surrounded by mysterious statues and sounds.
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Konopiste Forest Castle in the Czech Republic
The forest castle of Konopiste is four miles south of Prague, and the nearest major town is Benesov. Even though we had the exact address, we turned around for quite a while before we found it.
We thought that a big castle would be visible, but the forest castle Konopiste is not visible. It is well hidden in the forest! Finally, we found a car park that looked like it was meant for castle visits ...
Animals in Konopiste
Once we arrived, we were in a hurry to visit the castle before it got dark. Was it stupid to come this late? We started walking up a dirt road and soon encountered an enclosure with deer. We also saw squirrels darting between the branches of the trees and, as we approached the castle, we discovered a bear living in the moat.
Loud noises in Konopiste
But none of this explained the strange sounds! As darkness fell, they became more and more intense. It sounded like a loud howling or moaning. What kind of animal could make such a sound? And didn't we hear something moving in the bushes? The explanation was not given until the next morning ...
A park full of statues
The castle is surrounded by a large park, where you can wander around the castle's fanciful statues. We wandered around among mysterious animals and two-faced figures as darkness fell and the 'wailing' increased in intensity.
The rose garden and the peacocks
We slept in our camper van in the car park outside the castle and only the next day, when it was light and the castle was open to visitors, did we get the answer to the riddle from the day before. The loud howling came from all the peacocks in the castle's rose garden! Have you ever heard what a peacock sounds like...?
Visiting the Konopiste forest castle
Just walking around the castle garden and admiring the castle from the outside is an experience. It is also possible to get a guided tour inside the castle. We skipped it because we would have to wait so many hours for an English guide, but if you plan your visit a little better, it is excellent. You can read more at the castle's website.
Around the castle there are several restaurants, fast food outlets, souvenir shops and museums. However, the campsite that once stood here seems to have been closed for years. Don't forget to check out Peter's film from the castle!
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Husis blog says:
This time the owners want to praise your pictures, beautiful ones of the animals. It all ends, as it should, with a film. It makes the owner think of what artists do, they always save the best for their encore.
17 July 2017 - 6:34
Helena says:
Thank you very much! Glad to hear you like our photos and films!
17 July 2017 - 19:16
Fantasy Dining says:
I would have loved that!
17 July 2017 - 7:53
Denandraresan.com says:
This place is really cosy! Do you know that the Swedes came here about 400 years ago and plundered the castle? They had to rebuild several times. This place is great for children. There is a beautiful rose garden, many parks and a terrarium nearby too. Well worth a day trip from Prague!
17 July 2017 - 9:17
Helena says:
No, I didn't know that! I read a bit about the history on the website, but didn't realise it was there. Probably would have learnt more if we had taken the guided tour ...
.
17 July 2017 - 19:17
seija.viitamäki-carlsson says:
Fantastic castle. I can hear the peacocks all the way to the forests of Hälsingland. And thank you for your travel report Czech Republic-Poland. New tips and new discoveries. We leave at the end of August.
17 July 2017 - 9:40
Helena says:
Glad you enjoyed our reports Seija! How are you planning to travel?
17 July 2017 - 19:18
Mr Steve says:
Fantastic! What an experience!
Thank you for great pictures and a wonderful film to end the day.
17 July 2017 - 10:42
Birgitta in Umeå says:
What an amazing experience you had. I would not have been able to sleep that night, all the thoughts and ideas would just flow towards me.
For you it must have been a lot of eye candy, with a beautiful magical forest. deer, statues at dusk.
Your photos also gave me eye candy. Thanks for the great pictures!
17 July 2017 - 12:52
Helena says:
It was a special and slightly magical feeling to be at the castle in the evening. Not many others there then if you say so
.
17 July 2017 - 20:28
Elisabeth says:
Nice castle and park. The statue was probably Diana, goddess of the hunt. The animal you photographed, was done, probably fallow deer. Looks like a nice place to visit! Have a great holiday!
17 July 2017 - 13:18
Helena says:
Yes, but of course you are right about that...! Peter wrote deer in the film, but I wrote deer haha. But it found both and iofs. May probably take and change!
17 July 2017 - 20:29
Birgit says:
Yes not a deer but a stag.
18 July 2017 - 0:38
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
Another favourite spot on your trip although nothing beats the "stone forest", Adrspach Rocks in my eyes.
17 July 2017 - 13:24
Helena says:
Agree that Adrspach was a special place!
17 July 2017 - 20:30
Ruth in Virginia says:
Very impressive indeed! Where did the money come from?
There must have been an incredible number of skilled construction workers,
not only for this castle but all the others you have shown us on this trip.
very interesting trip.
Slaves, or ?
17 July 2017 - 13:26
Helena says:
Yes, you might wonder about that! But it feels like there have always been rich people, even though many were poor. The workers weren't paid much, were they?
17 July 2017 - 20:31
Lennart says:
Exciting visit!
17 July 2017 - 17:08
Anna, Travel on a Cloud says:
What a magical place! I would have liked that. Especially the sculptures.
However, I understand that it was a bit scary with the sound. The location would be perfect for a film shoot, it seems.
How handy to be able to just stay in the campervan when you arrived late!
17 July 2017 - 17:36
Helena says:
That's what's so clever about a motorhome!
17 July 2017 - 20:31
Matts Torebring says:
You really are explorers! I don't know how you come up with everything. It just gets worse and worse. You must have laughed and had fun here. Those of us stuck in the French castles, what are we going to do? It never ends. You line up delights for the eye!
17 July 2017 - 19:06
Helena says:
Haha yes, no I don't really know either ... But now we have probably told you about most of the things we have seen in Poland and the Czech Republic
Tomorrow I thought I would start writing a little practical about travelling with a motorhome in these countries.
17 July 2017 - 20:33
BP says:
What a castle and what marvellous pictures!!! Oh no, I have never heard how a peacock sounds. Oh after your description, I don't know if I'm so hungry either;-)
The castle is incredibly beautiful and the header picture is a real highlight - in a double sense:-)
17 July 2017 - 21:47
Helena says:
They sound a bit special. It was quite ok when you realised where it was. Before that it almost felt a bit eerie
.
31 July 2017 - 21:50
Ditte says:
Just thought of peacock when I read . I've had a couple of them nearby in China and at first didn't realise what the sound was.
What a cool castle and in such a nice environment. And nice that you could stand there overnight with the motorhome, it is not always possible.
Thank you for this "pleasure trip".
Great pictures and film.
17 July 2017 - 21:53
Helena says:
Since you've heard peacock before, I can see why you got it. I didn't realise anything... until I saw and heard them at the same time
.
31 July 2017 - 21:51
Johnny Friskilä says:
I like the double-faced statue!
18 July 2017 - 18:57
Helena says:
Me too. It contributed to the mysterious feeling in the park!
31 July 2017 - 21:51
OnTrip.com says:
What a nice castle, I would like to see it. Uhh what many fine animals there are also. That castle must be on the list
/Annette
22 July 2017 - 18:46
Helena says:
Great to go to as an excursion from Prague, if you have some time
.
31 July 2017 - 21:52