The transformation of the dilapidated Baroque castle Bzí into a resort will cost up to 750 million CZK

Dolní Bukovsko – The restoration of the Baroque castle Bzí and its grounds in the České Budějovice region will cost approximately three-quarters of a billion crowns. It will serve as a resort for recreation, corporate events, congresses, or weddings. This is planned by the architectural studio LOXIA, which purchased the castle in 2022. Jana Mastíková, the studio's managing director, told ČTK.

The company is gradually reconstructing the complex. During today's spring festivities at the Bzí castle, the public could view the first renovated spaces, such as the former stables. "In the former stables, a large hall has been made operational on the ground floor, along with a hall for a future restaurant. In the center of the building, a block for toilets and a staircase to the upper floor has been created, leading to the accommodation rooms," she stated. She added that there should be 15 rooms in the former stables, with a capacity of up to 80 guests.

The company hopes to have part of the former castle complex operational by next spring, anticipating that weddings could take place there. "There are not many similar complexes. And the current trend is that wedding guests wish to have everything in one place. That means they don't have to travel to the town hall for the ceremony and then move to the reception," she said.

She added that the hall in the reconstructed stables can accommodate 140 people. Therefore, it could be used by companies for their events in addition to weddings. In the future, another hall with a capacity of three hundred seats will be created from the barn.

LOXIA expects that all work in Bzí could be completed by 2033. The company aims to create a hotel from the castle building. They also plan to develop a wellness area with a pool and sauna. Furthermore, they have also dredged the pond, are preparing to repair the dam, and plan to build a house on the water's surface. "It could be used by newlyweds for a romantic wedding night," she said.

The complex covers over 20 hectares. It includes the castle, stables, courtyard, garden, greenhouse, pond, barn, and several historical buildings. It also encompasses adjacent forests. The castle has a rectangular layout with a large courtyard. The ground floor of the castle features spaces with cross-vaulted and barrel-vaulted ceilings.

The castle near the village of Bzí, not far from Dolní Bukovsko, was originally built as a fortress, with the first mentions dating back to the 14th century. The four-winged castle with an inner courtyard was reconstructed around 1651 into a Baroque castle. In 1754 it was renovated and adapted for the needs of the upper social class. From 1978, the property housed the agricultural cooperative JZD Rozkvět, as well as a distillery, cheese factory, and apartments. It was also a popular destination for excursions and a filming location. In 1979, the film "Golden Eels" was shot there, and in 1993 "Wedding of the Vampires." Since the 90s, it changed owners until it ended up in a public auction.