Žehušice: White Deer Herd and Castle History

The Žehušická Game Park has existed in its present form since 1867, covers 270 hectares, and lies between Žehušice and Bojmany. The natural setting therefore includes both the animal population kept there for many years and a clearly defined area between two villages.

The Žehušice castle park contains rare trees and is considered a dendrological site. The former dam of the Kravinec pond forms the main circular route through the Žehušická Game Park. The animal population, trees, and route are therefore distinct aspects of nature and the landscape.

The Church of St. Mark, called Kostel sv. Marka in Czech, in Žehušice is a late Baroque building dating from 1760.

The Old Castle, Starý zámek, preserves the core of a Gothic fortress that was rebuilt in the 16th century. The façades retain remnants of sgraffito, as well as a Gothic gate, a Renaissance portal, and Renaissance window surrounds.

Starý zámek in Žehušice is considered the birthplace of the horn virtuoso Jan Václav Stich, who became known in Italy under the name Giovanni Punto.

Žehušice Castle was built in 1679 by Francesco Carati in the Baroque style and remodeled in the Empire style in 1826 by Count Josef Matyáš Thun.

The historic buildings also include the Žehušice brewery: it was built at the end of the 17th century and given a Baroque exterior.

The Žehušice estate granary complex is described as the oldest Renaissance tower granary in the district, with loophole-like windows.

The architectural history thus spans several periods and building types: the Gothic fortress core, Renaissance elements, Baroque forms, and the later Empire-style alterations belong to different parts of the locality's history. Starý zámek, Žehušice Castle, the castle park, the brewery, and the estate granary complex are each separate historic components.

Visiting regulations differ among the sites mentioned: Žehušice Castle is currently not open to the public, and the Žehušice castle park is also not open to the public. St. Mark's Church can be visited during regular services. This distinction between inaccessible sites and visits during church services is important when planning the timing of a visit to the locality.

More local pages: Černíny, Sudějov, Čestín, Zhor, Semtěš, Ledečko, Vidice, Drobovice.

Every year in June, Žehušice hosts the music festival “Slavnost lesního rohu,” dedicated to the horn virtuoso Jan Václav Stich. The event's name refers to the instrument with which Stich is associated as a musician.

For the broader travel overview: Kutná Hora District.