Savoia Castle, Renaissance and Baroque castle in Škvorec, Czech Republic.
Savoia Castle is a Renaissance and Baroque building in Škvorec that spans multiple wings and sections. Inside, vaulted cellars, a tower with clock bells, and eight double rooms create spaces used for modern events and activities.
Domaslav, a royal official who served as Queen Kunigunda's cupbearer and Prague Castle burgrave, founded the castle in the late 1270s; it is first documented in a 1404 charter. Archbishop Olbram III of Škvorec rebuilt it around 1400 as a two-palace layout, and Zikmund I Smiřický converted it into a Renaissance château. Swedish troops plundered and burned it on 27 November 1639.
The name Savoia comes from Marie Thérèse of Savoy (1694–1772), who had the castle rebuilt as a palace and added the Chapel of St Anne and statues of St Donatus and St Procopius. A legend tells of her ghost, the White Lady, appearing in the castle.
The castle sits about 25 minutes from Prague's center and is easy to reach by car or public transportation. Today it operates as an event venue, so checking ahead about access and available times helps you plan your visit properly.
The castle's main chimney was deliberately kept during reconstruction out of respect for a local belief: a dragon called Drak is said to live inside it and protect the town. The wine cellars hold aged San Donato calvados, Nocino liqueur made from the estate's own walnuts, and collections of Bohemian white and Tuscan red wines.
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