The Nové Město n. M. castle is for sale, the state should strive for it

Nové Město nad Metují – The private castle in Nové Město nad Metují in the Náchod region is being offered for sale by the descendants of the noble year of Bartoň family from Dobenína. The state, which has a preemptive right, should purchase it, said Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) to reporters today. During his visit to the Hradec Králové Region, he discussed with representatives of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) and the owners directly at the Nové Město castle. No one present commented on the price at which the state could buy the castle.

"It is unique, it would be good if the castle remained in the hands of the state. I had no idea that such a castle existed here," said Babiš.

The castle is a national cultural monument. "We recommended to the ministry that this unique property, which carries significant layers from the 20th century by prominent artists of that time, remain in the hands of the state," said NPÚ Director General Naděžda Goryczková.

According to conservationists, the castle is exceptional mainly because of its interiors. "It is the only reconstruction of a castle complex in the 20th century on our territory carried out by architect Dušan Jurkovič. The interiors are in very good condition," Goryczková said.

The current owner of the castle is Joseph Michael Barton Dobenin, who is selling it for personal reasons, he told reporters. According to him, it will be best for the castle if it is in the hands of the state.

"Ms. Goryczková wanted us to stop here. In Nové Město nad Metují, there is a castle that the owners want to sell, and the state has a preemptive right. This is an initiative of the director, and I will of course inform the Minister of Culture," Babiš told reporters before the meeting in Nové Město nad Metují.

The castle in Nové Město belongs to the descendants of the noble Bartoň-Dobenín family. It offers two guided tours and access to the Máselnice tower. It is visited by around 22,000 people annually. The garden has even higher attendance. In winter, from November to the end of March, guided tours for groups are available by appointment.

The Bartoň family from Dobenína is one of the youngest noble families, originating from Eastern Bohemia. In 1912, Josef Bartoň was elevated to knighthood and adopted the noble predicate "z Dobenína," which his sons and later grandson Václav also used. In 1937, Josef Bartoň took his son Václav Barton-Dobenin (1902-1982) as a co-owner.

After 1948, the Bartoň family lost all their property, and Václav Bartoň, along with his wife Daniela and their two sons Václav and Josef, emigrated, eventually finding asylum in Canada. In 1992, the younger son of Václav, Josef, regained the castle through restitution. In 2013, he passed the family estate, including the castle, to his son Joseph Michael Barton Dobenin.