Chrast: Castle History, Museum and Nature Trail

Chrast brings together historical and cultural points of interest: the castle with its town museum, the castle garden, churches in the town centre and the Chrastecka Nature Trail. If you are looking for a hotel in Chrast, these attractions can shape your stay—from the former episcopal residence to a route between two railway stations.

Castle, Museum and Concert Hall

Chrast Castle was formerly the seat and later the summer residence of the bishops of Hradec Králové. The castle building houses the Chrast Town Museum and the town office. The history of the episcopal residence and two present-day uses thus come together in one building.

The town museum was founded in 1893 by Vincenc Paulus. Its permanent exhibition includes a model of the Codex Gigas, made for an exhibition in Prague. The connection to the Prague exhibition is therefore part of this exhibit’s history. The former castle chapel is also part of the castle’s cultural use: with its original wall paintings, it serves as the museum’s concert hall and is used for concerts.

The Castle Garden and Its Design

The castle garden has its own history, documented in two phases. Bishop Karel Hanl had it laid out in the mid-19th century. In 1903, Prague architect Thomayer redesigned the garden as a park. Hanl’s original garden and Thomayer’s later redesign thus represent distinct stages in the garden’s development. The castle garden is open to the public year-round. Check access conditions before your trip, as they may change.

The Chrastecka Nature Trail

The Chrastecka Nature Trail connects the ČD railway station in Chrast with the ČD railway station in Vrbatův Kostelec and is 12.47 km long. The Žejbro River flows through Chrast and borders almost the entire trail. Its length, endpoints and relationship to the river give the route a clear profile. Taken together, these details show that the trail can be considered a route in its own right, not just a single point in the town centre. If you include it in your plans, both railway stations and the route’s length give you concrete details to consider.

Churches and History

The Church of the Holy Trinity stands in the middle of Chrast’s market square. The first records of the Church of St Martin in Chrast date from 1350; it was consecrated on 3 August 1721. These dates refer to different events: 1350 is the year of the first records, while 1721 is the date of its consecration. The history of the two churches can thus be understood in different ways—through the location of the Church of the Holy Trinity on the market square and through the documented dates for St Martin’s.

The Water Tower in Chrašice

The water tower in Chrašice is also connected with the castle in Chrast: it was built to supply the bishop’s castle with utility water. Bishop Matouš Ferdinand von Bilenberg had the water pipeline built in 1662. On 19 September 2012, the old water tower was opened to the public. If you plan to visit, please check current access options.

Discover more destinations: Nasavrky, Kamenicky, Chrudim, Dědová, Jeníkov, Vejvanovice, Honbice, Žumberk

For the broader travel overview: Chrudim District.