<Realitní kancelář> <prodává> <romantický> <zámek> <Žinkovy> <na> <Plzeňsku>

Žinkovy - Real estate agency Svoboda & Williams is selling the romantic Žinkovy castle. The cultural monument in the Plzeň region was purchased in 2007 by the multinational company Crown Estates and has been gradually renovated. It is one of the largest privately owned castles in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with a living area of nearly 12,000 square meters, the agency stated on its website, but did not disclose the price. The sale is also presented by the global auction house Christie's.

The previous owners intended to turn the castle into a hotel and conference center with facilities for recreation. The Prague company Obrapa, which managed the restoration of the complex, promised that upon completion of the renovations, dozens of local people would find employment there. Currently, the castle is being reconstructed and is not accessible to the public, according to the website of the town of Žinkovy.

"This is fresh information; I learned about it this morning. I asked the caretaker at the castle today and he knew nothing about the sale. I haven’t spoken to the American owners," said town mayor Josef Karhan (Žinkovské sdružení NK). In the past, according to him, they attracted people to the café, film screenings, concerts, and opened the castle twice a year, but that ended about three years ago. "Since then, nothing has been held for the public, and the café is not operating," he added.

According to Karhan, all outdoor work on the castle, including insulation, façade, windows, frames, and roofing, is complete. "And half of the interior is done as well, also precisely, including floors, heating, and some furniture," he said. The mayor could not estimate the cost of the renovation, but it will be tens of millions.

The history of the castle dates back to the 12th century. On the site, which currently covers nearly 19 hectares, there was a water fortress. The early Baroque castle was built there in the second half of the 17th century, and in 1897 it was rebuilt in a pseudorenaissance style by Viennese architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner. "It is different from every side. It seems as if it were various objects, yet the parts are harmoniously connected," states the town.

Since 1950, it served as a popular recreation and health resort for ROH and was declared a cultural monument in 1963. "It remained state-owned until 1999, when it was purchased by Crown Estates," the agency stated on its website.

According to Svoboda & Williams, the complex consists of the main castle building, a renovated administrative building that includes a restaurant, conference room, reception, office spaces, and four apartments. There is also a partially renovated farm building and 12 bungalows, half of which have been renovated. The area also includes a mill and granary, which could serve as a restaurant with accommodation units after renovation, according to the agency. Next to the castle are the Žinkovský pond and Labuť pond, as well as an English-style forest park. Since 1989, the castle has changed hands several times and has deteriorated. From 1993 to 2007, it was completely closed.