<h1>Castles and Chateaus Managed by NPÚ Viewed by 5.3 Million People by the End of October</h1>

Prague - Monuments managed by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) have been visited by nearly 5.3 million visitors by the end of October. Last year, it was five million by the end of September and 5.49 million for the entire year. According to NPÚ management, however, the attendance at the most popular sites is slightly declining, reaching the limit of what these monuments can bear. Also due to visitor number regulation, admission prices at some sites will increase by approximately ten percent starting next year. However, last year, around forty monuments recorded an increase in the number of interested visitors. NPÚ's revenues also grew last year, NPÚ representatives stated at today’s press conference.

Traditionally, the highest number of visitors went to castles and chateaus from May to September, with July being the strongest month, when nearly 1.3 million visitors explored the monuments. NPÚ has recorded over five million visitors for several consecutive years.

"We expect that the trend where attendance peaked at 5.5 million visitors might come to a halt," said NPÚ director Naďa Goryczková. According to her, this is also a result of attendance regulation. The most visited monuments are overloaded, and they cannot accommodate more interested visitors; if that were to happen, it would mean a degradation of these sites. As in previous years, this year the most visited sites were the Český Krumlov and Lednice chateaus. By the end of October, the Český Krumlov area was visited by over 400,000 people, and the Lednice chateau is approaching this number.

That is why admission prices at some monuments will increase, on average by ten to 15 percent. The basic admission to Hluboká will rise from 180 to 200 crowns, and to Karlštejn from 190 to 210 crowns. In Lednice, where, according to the director, the maintenance of the gardens, which are not charged, is demanding, it will increase from 190 to 200 crowns. In Kroměříž, heritage guardians take care of the Květná Garden, and the admission price there will rise from 120 to 140 crowns. Another reason for the increase in admission prices, according to Goryczková, is the effort to align the pricing level with similar sites offered by other owners. The lookout towers managed by NPÚ cost, according to her, 20 to 30 crowns, while elsewhere they cost 50 crowns.

"We expect that attendance will increase by the end of the year thanks to an exceptionally diverse Advent program that we have prepared for visitors; selected monuments will be open even on Christmas Eve, Christmas holidays, or New Year's Eve," she said. The Advent program will offer more than 130 events across the Czech Republic. Throughout the year, 13 heritage sites are open, including the castles and chateaus of Lednice, Český Krumlov, Karlštejn, Mníšek pod Brdy, and Sychrov.

NPÚ's own revenues have again increased year-on-year. From the beginning of the year until the end of October, they amounted to 550 million crowns, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.88 percent. NPÚ will use the funds for the restoration of monuments and for improving services. NPÚ finances more than half of its budget from its own revenues. It anticipates that the higher admission prices next year could increase revenues by up to 30 percent.

The top five most visited monuments, in addition to Český Krumlov and Lednice, include Hluboká, Karlštejn, and Kroměříž. More than 100,000 visitors were registered at Valtice, Konopiště, Trosky, Bouzov, Buchlovice, Sychrov, and Švihov. The absolute winner of the year was the chateau of Mníšek pod Brdy, which improved its visitor count by 12,500. Hrad Veveří attracted 12,300 more visitors than in 2017. A significant increase was also recorded at the Žleby chateau, where attendance rose by 10,000 people this year.

According to NPÚ management, the Prague Invalidovna, which the institute took over in the spring of this year, enjoyed considerable visitor interest as well. During several special tours, nearly 2,000 people visited the Invalidovna. According to the director, the Invalidovna is one of the sites that generates the most revenue from filming activities.