Benešov nad Ploučnicí State Chateau (a national cultural monument) is an immensely valuable Renaissance chateau complex that is rightly known as the “pearl of the Saxon Renaissance”. This hugely important complex has been preserved in the centre of the town, comprising two separate chateau units – the Upper and Lower Chateau, along with a third example of unique Renaissance architecture, the adjacent parish Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.
All three buildings are linked by the Meissen noble House of Salhausen, who came to Bohemia in the early 16th century and, in the spirit of the Saxon Renaissance, carried out some major building projects. After the Battle of White Mountain the Salhausens were forced to leave Bohemia and each chateau then had a separate owner. They lived in their grander homes and the two chateaus were used merely as summer residences, later inhabited by just high-ranking officials. This meant that both chateaus were spared any more extensive reconstruction work and have preserved their unique Renaissance look.
The chateau interiors are accompanied by an exhibition of period furniture, porcelain, weapons, pictures, graphic works and arts and crafts, evoking the life of the lower nobility at this aristocratic residence in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the chateau courtyard there is a copy of the statue of Triton by the Dutch master sculptor Adrian de Vries. There are two tours in the chateau, as well as an information centre. The chateau garden is open free of charge all day long.
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