Stránecká Zhoř – Castle, Chapel and Černá kuchyně

Stránecká Zhoř is a destination for travelers who want to discover history not only in a single façade, but across several historical layers. The highlights are the castle, the Chapel of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and the restored so-called Černá kuchyně.

Castle History Across Several Periods

Stránecká Zhoř Castle is a Renaissance castle dating from the second half of the 16th century. It was built on the site of a Gothic fortress from the second half of the 14th century. The older fortress and the later Renaissance castle thus mark two construction phases at the same location.

The Chapel of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux occupies a former vaulted space from the second half of the 16th century. The chapel in the former castle was rebuilt between 2004 and 2019 in the spirit of traditional construction methods. The former vaulted space and the rebuilding represent two temporally distinct construction phases of the chapel. The years 2004 to 2019 refer to the rebuilding, not to the creation of the original vaulted space. Holy Masses are regularly celebrated there.

Guided Tours and Special Dates

Guided tours of Stránecká Zhoř Castle have been offered repeatedly. Examples from 2026 include a commentary-led tour during the open day marking the municipality’s anniversary, as well as the fourth guided tour announced for August 7, 2026. The date 2026 applies to both tour examples; August 7 refers only to the announced date of the fourth tour. Anyone interested in the castle’s history should regard such offers as date-specific forms of exploration and check the relevant announcement.

The Svatováclavské ohně also show that events at the castle can provide different perspectives. Admission to the Svatováclavské ohně was free. Visitors were able to look inside the newly furnished Chapel of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Access to the chapel was tied to that event format at the time and should not be understood as general current access.

The Restored Černá kuchyně

The restored so-called Černá kuchyně is accessible from the castle courtyard. When in operation, food can be cooked, baked and roasted there over an open fire. Since 2014, regular culinary events featuring demonstrations based on historical recipes have been held in the Černá kuchyně. Accessibility from the castle courtyard and operation over an open fire describe two different aspects: the first concerns access to the kitchen area, while the second concerns its use.

Stránecká Zhoř as a Cultural Travel Choice

The religious use of the chapel and the castle events follow different temporal patterns. Holy Masses are celebrated regularly; guided tours are tied to specific dates, while operation over an open fire is a prerequisite for culinary demonstrations in the Černá kuchyně.

For further research, you can also consider Kuklik, Vlkov, Rovečné, Ubušínek, Dolní Libochová, Blažkov, Lavičky and Věžná.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Žďár Nad Sázavou.