Lobkowicz Palace (Lobkowický Palác), built in the mid-16th century for Czech nobleman Jaroslav of Pernštejn, is the only privately owned building in the sprawling Prague Castle complex. The aristocratic Lobkowicz family took over the palace through a dynastic marriage in 1603, eventually lost it under the communist rule of the Czech Republic following World War II, and regained control only recently, in 2002.
The Basics
A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, Lobkowicz Palace, which stands next to the Royal Palace, houses the Lobkowicz family’s private art collection, the largest in the Czech Republic and one of the finest in the city. The highlights, which are displayed in 22 ornate apartments, include works by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Cranach, Velázquez, Canaletto, and Rubens. The collection also includes one of Central Europe’s finest libraries of rare books and a musical archive that includes scores by Mozart, Beethoven, and Gluck. Suits of medieval armor compete for attention with remarkable 16th-century lutes and early 18th-century silver trumpets, as well as a superb cache of 17th-century porcelain and decorative arts.
Your options for visiting Lobkowicz Palace run the gamut from audio tours that provide an overview of the site’s history to private guided tours that offer the flexibility to customize the focus on whatever you’re most interested in seeing.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Lobkowicz Palace is a must-visit for lovers of architecture and history.
- The balcony of the Lobkowicz Palace Cafe offers great views of the Prague skyline.
- There’s an entrance fee to visit the museum.
- The palace has a gift shop where you can buy Lobkowicz Roudnice wines from the family’s winery.
How to Get There
Lobkowicz Palace is located next to the Institute of Noblewomen in the Rosenberg Palace. There are several tram stops nearby, including Kralovsky letohradek, Prazsky hrad, and Pohorelec, as well as the Malostranska and Hradcanska Metro stations.
When to Get There
Lobkowicz Palace is open every day from morning through early evening. Summer brings very large numbers of tourists to Prague; in spring, the weather is pleasant and things are generally less crowded.
Midday Classic Concerts
The palace is known for its classical concerts, held every day at 1pm beneath the ornate 17th-century painted fresco in the elegant Baroque Concert Hall. The hall only holds 100 people, so book in advance. You can buy a combination ticket for the museum and concert, or book a tour that includes both.
