Račice Castle has opened to the public for the first time, and interest is significant

Račice-Pístovice - The castle in Račice in the Vyškov region opened to the public for the first time in history at the beginning of July, with one tour route available for visitors. There is considerable interest, primarily from locals, Miroslav Pala said today for the company e-Finance. The firm bought the unused castle in 2017 and plans to convert it into a wellness hotel for approximately 150 million crowns.

Given that the castle has gradually hosted the General Staff of the Czechoslovak Army, OP Prostějov, a primary school, a vocational school, and a children's home since 1938, visitors should not expect a museum exhibition of paintings and furniture like in state castles, according to Pala. However, visitors can look forward to an interesting contrast between the historic building and the mixture of furniture and items that come from the castle's use over the past nine decades. "It is an hour-long tour that starts in the courtyard, followed by nine representative rooms, including the mirror hall, where a classroom can be seen,” Pala stated.

Tours are available on weekends, and on weekdays only by appointment. According to Pala, there is great interest in them, especially from locals who see the castle but have not had the opportunity to visit it. "But we also have tourists coming from the nearby lookout tower, from where the castle is visible. They are curious and happy to see the inside of the castle,” Pala added.

The company bought the castle in 2017 from the South Moravian Region for about 24 million, and subsequently opened a guesthouse in the courtyard, where there are 35 beds available for tourists. There are now also accommodations directly in the castle, where an additional 68 beds have been added. The company aims to renovate the castle within five years and convert it into a wellness hotel, which is expected to cost about 150 million crowns. Approximately 50 beds in apartments, as well as a sauna, a pool, and multifunctional sports facilities will be added. This year, the company has obtained a building permit.

The complex previously served as a special vocational school and children's home. Teaching last took place there from 2013 to 2014. Since then, the area has been unused, and the education department of the regional office has classified it as unnecessary.

Originally a Gothic castle, it was transformed into a Renaissance castle at the end of the 16th century, and a century later, it took on the form of an Empire residence. Before World War II, the castle became the residence of the General Staff of the Czechoslovak Army. Later, it was also owned by the national enterprise Oděvní průmysl in Prostějov, which used it as a recreational center for its employees.