HISTORy
There are few places in Bohemia with a story as legendary as Peruc, thanks to its connection with the famous romantic tale of Oldřich and Božena. Beneath the château lies a spring known as Božena’s Well. It is said that from this spring flows a brook through the forest, where the Duke of Bohemia, Oldřich, fell in love with the beautiful Božena as she was washing ("peruc") laundry. He brought her to Prague Castle, took her as his wife, and she became the mother of his successor, Duke Břetislav I
The name Peruc is derived from the word “peroucí,” meaning “washing,” in reference to this legend.
In the 12th century, an early medieval castle stood here, belonging to the powerful noble family of the Hroznata lineage—specifically to the brothers Měšek of Peruc and Hroznata of Peruc, known as “Kadeřavý.” In the château’s cellars, remnants of medieval structures can still be traced. Beneath the main staircase lies a Romanesque chamber that originally served as a dungeon and was later, during the Rococo period, converted into a cistern for rainwater, ingeniously channeled from the roof through wooden pipes.
From the late 13th century, Peruc was ruled by the descendants of Bořita of Radhošť, who took the name “of Peruc.”
At the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century, Peruc belonged to the Pětipeský family of Krásný Dvůr and Peruc. In 1543, a Gothic fortress is documented in writing, although it had been built much earlier on the ruins of the original castle.
The Pětipeský family sold Peruc to Eliška of Krajk, the wife of Jiří of Lobkowicz.
During the Lobkowicz family’s rule, around 1580, the Gothic fortress was rebuilt into a Renaissance château, which is documented in writing in 1597 upon its sale to Jan Hruška of Březno.
In 1611, the château was purchased by Elizabeth Zapská of Slivice. Since she did not take part in political affairs, she completely avoided the post-White Mountain confiscations. Nevertheless, she was unable to retain the estate. Her debts ultimately led to the seizure of her property in Peruc.
In 1627, Peruc was sold to her neighbor, Elizabeth Volfomína Ždárská, née Berková of Dubá and Telče. Elizabeth Volfomína died in 1654, and the château passed to her only daughter, Francisca Eusebia, who was married to Count Karel Václav Caretto of Millesimo.
In 1673, Count Jan Jetřich of Ledebur purchased the Peruc estate. A glorious era began for the Peruc domain. For the new owner and his entire family, Peruc became the family’s principal estate for more than a century.
Although extensive, the Renaissance château had fallen into disrepair and was rebuilt in the early Baroque style in 1673 by the architect Antonio Porta. This renovation unified the height of the château’s wings and harmonized the levels of their floors. Another reconstruction took place under the Ledebur family around 1724, during the construction of the magnificent Church of Saints Peter and Paul opposite the château. The architect for this phase was Pietro Paulo Columbani.
A major transformation that gave the château its present Rococo appearance took place under Count Kašpar Benedikt of Ledebur between 1763 and 1765. The architect responsible for this renovation was Josef Jäger.
The Rococo renovation is responsible for the façade of the main wing, including the courtyard section, remarkably undulating in a concave–convex manner. Inside, this transformation is reflected primarily in the grand staircase, adorned with remarkable sculptural decorations by Ignác František Platzer.
In 1798, the estate was purchased by Prince Josef Kinský, and in 1814, František Kinský sold Peruc to Count František Antonín Thun-Hohenstein.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the château underwent its final modification according to the plans of the architect Zachariáš Fiegert. The first floor at the ends of the side wings was completed. Later, the château was owned by Prince Jaroslav Thun-Hohenstein, who was the brother-in-law of Archduke Franz Ferdinand d’Este. Following the assassination in Sarajevo, he became the guardian of the three underage children of the slain heir to the throne. Together with his wife, Marie Chotková, they raised the children at the château. After the war, the property was nationalized from the Thun family.
In 1947, a portion of the château was granted by the government to Emil Filla, who worked here—primarily creating landscapes of the Central Bohemian Highlands—until 1953. Emil Filla was a leading Czech Cubist painter, graphic artist, and sculptor who had a profound influence on modern Czech art. He remains one of the most sought-after artists on the Czech art market, with his works regularly achieving record prices at auctions.
After Emil Filla’s death in 1953, his wife Hana Fillová bequeathed to Château Peruc an extensive collection of Filla’s paintings, along with the historic furnishings of the couple’s apartment, including a highly valuable collection of Chinese art, which was housed in the southern wing of the château. Her condition for this generous donation was the establishment of the Emil Filla Memorial Hall at Château Peruc. In 1958, the Filla Memorial Hall was opened, allowing visitors to honor and remember this giant of Czech art.
During the communist regime, the château in Bohemia fell into disrepair for many years, gradually losing its former beauty. After the Velvet Revolution, it changed hands several times; however, it was only when we, Pavel and Dominika Ondráčkovi, purchased the château in 2015 that an extensive and carefully executed restoration of the entire property began.
Our goal was to restore the château to its original 18th-century appearance and atmosphere, reflecting the heritage of the Rococo era. By emphasizing historical authenticity, meticulous craftsmanship, and aesthetic harmony, we have transformed the château into one of the most beautiful and luxurious heritage destinations in Europe. Today, the interiors are adorned with over one hundred rare paintings by world-renowned old masters, which, together with the rich stucco and fresco decorations, create a unique ambiance of nobility, elegance, and timeless beauty.