Mladějovice Mansion

How the Fortress Breathed Again

Michal Hradecký — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:32:11 +0000

Fifteen years ago, when we first stepped into the decaying grounds of the fortress and manor house in Mladějovice, it felt more like entering a ruin than a home. Everything was crumbling, overgrown, silent. And yet, we sensed something powerful — a story that refused to disappear.

From that moment, we committed ourselves to its restoration. Not as individuals, but as a family. All of us worked together — with our hands, minds, and hearts. Sometimes progress was slow, other times full of energy, but always guided by the idea that this wasn’t just about repairs — it was about bringing life back to a place with a soul.

We never wanted to turn the fortress into a private palace behind closed gates. Quite the opposite. Our goal was to open it up to culture, art, and people. Today, the site hosts studios, exhibitions, creative residencies, and public events. And that was always the dream — to let history speak in a language people understand today.

That’s why we’re deeply honored that our work received first place in the competition for Best Restored Cultural Monument of the South Bohemian Region. It’s a huge recognition and also a message of hope — that even private families, with patience and passion, can contribute to cultural heritage.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of the EEA and Norway Grants, which helped fund a significant part of the restoration. We also want to thank the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the South Bohemian Region for their long-standing support and encouragement.

Today, the fortress breathes again — and for us, that’s the greatest reward of all.

Yours truly,
The Durych Family

Článek How the Fortress Breathed Again se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

Board games tournament

Michal Hradecký — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:58:42 +0000

All young spirits of any age are cordially invited to evening of board games fun on 4 April 2024.

The best participants will be awarded!

Článek Board games tournament se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

Invitation to an event about Czech Easter traditions

Michal Hradecký — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:28:00 +0000

We have a very special Easter tradition in the Czech Republic. It is called “pomlázka”.

Czech Easter traditions are a combination of pagan, Christian and Jewish customs.

On Thursday 28 March 2024, come and learn about Czech Easter traditions and learn how to knit a pomlázka. We start at 2 pm.

Článek Invitation to an event about Czech Easter traditions se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

From our chronicle

Michal Hradecký — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:53:14 +0000

The year has come and gone, so let’s take a look together at how 2023 reflected in our Chronicle.

In March, tourists from Strakonice signed up and praised us for the tour provided by Bernard (we recommend it, by the way).

After a month, the number of Strakonice tourists grew to 22, after all it is not far.

At the beginning of spring, visitors from Pilsen and České Budějovice arrived, and in autumn, visitors from Prague and Olomouc.

In total, we have 87 visitors to the fortress recorded in the chronicle for last year.

Thank you all for the nice words, they make us happy!

Článek From our chronicle se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

Inspection of the reconstruction project

Michal Hradecký — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:13:07 +0000

On 31 January, the fortress was the venue of the interim public inspection of the project Reconstruction of Mladějovice Fortress (project KU-CH1-113).

The inspection was carried out by the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic and invited experts from Ernst & Young.

The purpose of the audit was to assess the progress of the project, to check the planned objectives, to assess the quality of the work carried out, etc., and last but not least, the effectiveness of the funds spent.

The inspection also included a site visit.

Článek Inspection of the reconstruction project se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

New Year’s volunteer meeting

Michal Hradecký — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:46:05 +0000

On Saturday 13th January a New Year’s meeting of volunteers took place at the fortress. Due to the good weather, everyone arrived equipped with skates and hockey sticks. The ice on the surrounding ponds provided a great backdrop for the hockey game.

In the second part of the event we put up new bird boxes and bird feeders in the garden. Hopefully they will soon find new inhabitants and visitors.

We ended the meeting with a drink accompanied by local musicians.

Článek New Year’s volunteer meeting se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

Wishing you a Happy New Year 2024

Michal Hradecký — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:54:33 +0000

May this year bring new happiness, new goals, new achievements, and a lot of new inspirations on your life.

Článek Wishing you a Happy New Year 2024 se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

Winter in Mladějovice

Michal Hradecký — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 09:19:44 +0000

Winter came to us this year in white and full of romance

And our pets are either asleep or, like our lovely chickens, not having it easy at all.

Článek Winter in Mladějovice se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

How we decorated Advent wreaths

Michal Hradecký — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 08:26:00 +0000

Advent is already in full swing and we are thrilled to see our reborn Fortress becoming an integral part of the lives of locals and visitors alike.

We will continue to include public events in our calendar in the future.

And you can see what it looked like when decorating the Advent wreaths in the small photo gallery.

Thanks to Mr. Kotrba for his video of the event.

Článek How we decorated Advent wreaths se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.

Video from the lantern parade

Michal Hradecký — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 08:28:38 +0000

The traditional St. Martin’s Day lantern parade took place in Mladějovice.

Short video by David Kotrba.

Článek Video from the lantern parade se nejdříve objevil na Mladějovice Mansion.