Osov Castle, Late Baroque château in Osov, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic

Osov Castle is a late-Baroque château built in 1728–1737 for Jan Adolf Kounic on the site of an older fortress he had demolished. The single-storey, three-winged building has a half-storey beneath the roof, and both main façades are articulated by projecting risalits. Rococo stuccowork was added during alterations at the end of the 18th century. The grounds also hold a granary and the remnant of an enclosing wall.

The village's first written mention of a lordly seat dates from 1504, when the Osovští z Adlaru sold Osov with its fortress to Jan Vamberský z Rohatec. Jan Adolf Kounic had the old fortress demolished and built a late-Baroque château here in 1728–1737; Rococo stuccowork followed at the end of the 18th century. From 1840 the estate passed to the Orlík branch of the Schwarzenbergs.

In the 1930s owner Václav Palivec made the château a cultural centre, hosting Karel Čapek, who wrote the play Matka here, Olga Scheinpflugová, Hugo Haas, Adina Mandlová, Jaroslav Seifert and Ferdinand Peroutka. The film Uličnice was shot here, and in 1938 secret talks between Peroutka, Čapek and German ambassador Ernst Eisenlohr took place in the building.

The castle is currently undergoing restoration work, so it is important to check access conditions before visiting. Visitors should find out which areas are open and what safety precautions may apply.

Václav Palivec hosted Karel Čapek at the castle in the 1930s; Čapek wrote the play Matka there. In 1938 secret talks between Ferdinand Peroutka and Čapek, representing the Czechoslovak government, and German ambassador Ernst Eisenlohr were held at the château to try to prevent war.