Getting Around the Czech Republic: Červená Lhota

Červená Lhota is one of the most fabulous and photogenic Czech castles. The red color of the walls and the location on the rocky island make it unusual and unforgettable.

The water castle of Červená Lhota includes beautiful indoor expositions and a marvellous castle park. The unusual color of the castle is not all that tourists may be interested in. The building stands on the shore of a small sweet lake, and all this together creates a charming atmosphere.

For just 80 CZK, you can rent a small boat and take a romantic trip along the lake surface, admiring the views of the castle complex.

The castle is open to the public from the end of March to the end of October.

Origin of the name

“Červená” translated from Czech means red. Lhota is the name of many villages and urban areas founded during the Middle Ages in Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia when the inhabitants of the new settlements had certain duties before the feudal lord.

Why is the castle red

Every self-respecting medieval castle should have at least one creepy legend. The most famous story about Červená Lhota says that the noble owner of the castle, the knight Gutram Kaba from Rybnyan married Jeanne from Dirn.

Disagreements often arose between spouses on religious grounds, since Guthram was an ardent Catholic, and Jeanne was a supporter of Protestantism. After another quarrel, she tore the family cross from the wall, on which her husband prayed daily, and threw him out of the window into the water.

At that moment, the sky turned black, a terrible storm came, a devil jumped out of the pond and dragged Jeanne straight to hell. The girl’s body was never found, only bloody traces on the white wall of the castle spoke of her unenviable fate. No matter how the court tried, it was not possible to wash them off or paint them over – in the morning the bloodstains appeared again.

The only way to get rid of the ominous reminder was to completely repaint the castle in blood red.

Where to eat

Červená Lhota Restaurant is located in the building, which lies directly opposite the castle. The restaurant is housed in a listed building that offers clients the opportunity to enjoy their meals in a unique atmosphere with a direct view of the castle.

Address: Červená Lhota 6, Kardasova Recice

Accommodation

Penzion a restaurace Zlatovláska – Zlatovláska family pension is ideal for families with children, groups of cyclists and tourists. The castle is located just one kilometer from our guesthouse and it is possible to reach us on foot. Free parking is available for guests arriving by car. The guest house is three minutes by car or 15 minutes on foot from the castle.

Address – Jižná 24, Jižná, 378 21

Penzion Pod Zamkem – Located in a city center of Jindřichův Hradec (approximately 20 min by car from the castle). It offers free Wi-Fi, a garden and a free boat ride on Nezarka River. The location of the hotel is very convenient both for those who want to walk around the city center and for those who do not mind seeing some of the sights directly from the window of the room.

Address – Nove Staveni 16, Jindřichŭv Hradec, 37701

How to get there

The easiest way to get to the castle is by car. Only 100 kilometers from Prague in the direction of Ceske Budejovice.  There are two paid parking lots located 200 meters from the castle entrance. Parking fee: CZK 60 for the whole day.

You can also get to Červená Lhota by bus. It takes 1 hour 15 minutes. You need to choose a bus that runs from Prague to Jindřichŭv Hradec via Tabor.

You take a train from Praha hl. n. to Soběslav and change there to a bus going to Deštná. The journey should take less than 3 hours.

Other options are using a private car or going on an organized tour.