Studio LOXIA purchased the Bzí chateau. The architects hope to complete its operation and open it by 2030.

The historical gem in South Bohemia will finally come to life again. The architectural studio LOXIA has decided to buy the Bzí Castle from the 14th century, which has long been falling into disrepair. Now it will finally undergo extensive renovation. The architects aim to achieve partial functionality and open it to the public by 2030. A luxury resort for recreation is set to be created here.

It was once a popular destination for excursions and a filming location. In 1979, the legendary film "Golden Smelts" was shot here, followed by "The Wedding of Vampires" in 1993. However, the history of the Baroque Bzí Castle in the České Budějovice region is much longer. The four-winged castle with an inner courtyard was reconstructed around 1651 from an older fortress and was modified in 1754. From 1978, the property housed the JZD Rozkvět, and there were also a distillery, a cheese factory, and apartments.

"The castle was maintained with self-help, and although it gradually fell into disrepair, there was still life in it. Unfortunately, after the revolution, a turning point occurred. The property passed from hand to hand among various owners and eventually appeared in a public auction," describes Jana Mastíková, the chief architect of the LOXIA studio, which decided to participate in the auction and bought the castle.

The renovation has already begun

Owner and founder of the LOXIA studio, Milan Veselý, has roots in South Bohemia, and thus he has been closely following the story of the dilapidated castle for a long time. "The castle suffered for a long time because it was accessible to everyone from all sides. We could not stand by and watch it deteriorate," says Jana Mastíková.

Inside the castle, vaulted ceilings and two rooms with mirror vaults and stucco decorations have been preserved. The castle is accompanied by outbuildings, a former distillery, St. Florian's chapel, and a pond. The area covers over 20 hectares, and there are 28 rooms on the first floor of the castle. "We are trying to address urgent matters first because several buildings have had their roofs collapse; for example, we had to demolish the building of the prefabricated houses due to its emergency state," describes the progress of the renovation, Mastíková.

LOXIA uncovers hidden potential

The architects were immediately clear that the castle could have a bright future ahead. "For a long time, we were looking for a property into which we could invest our know-how. We want to breathe new life into Bzí, seeking its hidden potential. The nearby village of Bzí is quite small, which adds to the pleasant tranquility in the surroundings. At the same time, it has an excellent location in terms of transport accessibility. Once the highway from Prague to South Bohemia is completed, the castle will be just an hour's drive from the capital," says Jana Mastíková.

There are also many attractions and monuments in the vicinity of the castle, such as Hluboká nad Vltavou with its castle, zoo, and golf course, as well as the Třeboň Castle with its spa, Jindřichův Hradec, and many others. This is also the reason why the main intention is to renovate the castle and build a luxury resort for relaxation, corporate events, and congresses, or even weddings.

Renovation began with the stables, which is a large building with a mansard roof adjacent to the castle. It will house a restaurant and a space for congress meetings in the future. Beautiful guest rooms will also be created in the attic.

"We want to create a multifunctional space with a restaurant and accommodation options; we are planning an exhibition room, nice gardens, and a social hall. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but it will be worth it," promises Jana Mastíková.