A small town in central Bohemia with a restored Baroque château from 1656. The surrounding Brdy hills are popular for hiking and biking on forest trails.
Fifteen kilometers southwest of Prague, Mníšek pod Brdy sits between the Benešov Uplands and the Brdy Highlands. A castle with three towers overlooks fishponds, and the Baroque buildings on Skalka hill mark a pilgrimage site. Walk through rooms displaying belongings of early 20th-century aristocrats, follow forest paths lined with Stations of the Cross, or watch runners compete in a 50-kilometer race. The town center includes a rebuilt 18th-century church, and trains from two stations reach Prague in 35 minutes. History, trails, and easy access to the capital make Mníšek a practical day trip or calm place to stay while exploring the area.
Mníšek pod Brdy Castle
The castle’s uneven shape—three towers instead of four—defines the town’s skyline. A local story tells of a knight who made a deal with the devil to build the castle quickly but tricked him by making a rooster crow early, leaving the fourth tower incomplete. Guided tours split into paths paths: one covers formal rooms with gold-trimmed mirrors and a chapel, the other takes you into living spaces with items like gramophones, baby clothes, and a child’s potty from the 1900s. Between April and October, special tours for kids lead them through a dungeon filled with storybook characters, including the devil. Go up to the roof to see views of the castle’s gardens with magnolias and lavender, stretching toward the Brdy hills.
Skalka Pilgrimage Complex
Climb Skalka hill on foot or drive up to reach this 17th-century Baroque site. Servác Engel, the nobleman who restored the castle, built the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, a hermitage, and 14 Stations of the Cross along forest paths. Bring sausages to cook at the hilltop grill area, and try beer from Kytínský pivovar, a small brewery four kilometers east. The buildings here have plain white walls, simple wooden benches, and a grassy area good for picnics. Come in the evening to walk quiet trails and see the chapel lit up against the darkening sky.
Church of Saint Wenceslaus
This cream-and-orange church in the main square replaced a Gothic building destroyed by Swedish soldiers in 1639. The unknown architect used bold Baroque shapes but kept the exterior less ornate than many churches in Prague. Inside, painted scenes show the life of Saint Wenceslaus and other saints from Bohemia. Look for announcements about summer organ concerts, which are often free. On weekends, the square holds a farmers’ market with honey from local beekeepers and clay dishes made in Central Bohemia.
Annual 50KM Ultramarathon
Every fall, trail runners gather here for a demanding race through the Brdy forests. The route passes old quarries, climbs Skalka hill, and includes a shallow water crossing at Sýkorník Pond around the 35-kilometer mark. Volunteers hand out local honey and pickled cheese at checkpoints. People watching the race gather near the castle or hike to spots like the pond to cheer. Sign-ups start six months ahead, but even if you’re not running, you can join the lively crowd at food stalls and listen to folk music in the square.
Getting to Mníšek pod Brdy
Trains from Prague’s Smíchov Station stop at Mníšek pod Brdy and Rymaně, taking 35 minutes. Services run every hour, with extra trains added during the ultramarathon and summer weekends. If driving, take the Prague-Písek highway (exit 12 for Mníšek) and park for free at the castle. Cyclists can ride the Vltava River path from Prague, turning at Černolice for a steep route into the Brdy hills. Walking is the best way to get around town, as taxis are scarce and buses to nearby areas run rarely.
