Toužim chateau, Castle and château in Toužim, Czech Republic

Toužim Chateau is a Baroque castle complex in western Bohemia consisting of two main castle buildings, a brewery building, and sections of old defensive walls. The compound reflects different construction periods layered over centuries of occupation and use.

A provostry of Milevsko Monastery stood here by 1354; in 1394 Boreš the Younger of Rýzmburk and the Švamberk brothers looted it and took the provost prisoner to Osek. Jakoubek of Vřesovice seized Toužim and built a castle on the site; after 1623 Julius Henry of Saxe-Lauenburg added Baroque gables and rebuilt the lower chateau.

The castle is also called Janův hrad (John's Castle), a name still used for the upper castle core. In the lower chateau courtyard a brewery was later installed, and the chateau itself was converted into flats; after 1945 the lower building served as a house of culture.

The castle is currently undergoing restoration and can be viewed from outside, though interior access may be limited. It is located south of Karlovy Vary and is most easily reached by car.

Beneath the Baroque exterior walls lie original Gothic foundations from much earlier times. This layering shows how builders preferred to reuse existing structures rather than start completely fresh.