The castle was apparently established in the 1280s by Prague Bishop Tobiaš as a Gothic fortification in the style of a French castle with a rectangular plan and round towers protruding from the corners, making the most effective defence possible. Accounts show that the Benešévic family from nearby Benešov were the owners in 1318, and that in 1327 the castle passed into the hands of the Šternberks. In 1468, it was conquered by the troops of George of Poděbrady after a siege that lasted almost two years. In 1603, the estate was purchased by Dorota Hodějovská of Hodějov, who made Renaissance alterations to the old gothic fortification. The Hodějovský family fortified their property because of their active participation in the anti-Habsburg rebellion in 1620. Albrecht von Waldstein acquired the castle, and after him it was passed to Adam Michna of Vacínov. Michna gained notoriety through his repression of the serfs, who revolted against him and conquered Konopiště in 1627. The Swedes occupied and plundered Konopiště in 1648, and the Vrtba family then purchased the dilapidated structure. After 1725, they had it transformed into a Baroque style château. The drawbridge was replaced by a stone bridge, and near the east tower a new entrance was inserted in the wall. The gate which embellished it was designed by František Maxmilián Kaňka and featured statues from the workshop of Matthias Bernard Braun. In 1746, the upper levels of four of the towers were destroyed and one tower was completely demolished. During repair of the interiors, mythological and allegorical frescoes were painted on the ceilings of the great hall, and marble fireplaces with carved decorations by Lazar Wildmann were created. Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria bought Konopiště in 1887 with his inheritance from the last reigning Duke of Modena. He had it repaired between 1889 and 1894 by the architect Josef Mocker into a luxurious residence, suitable for a future Emperor, which he preferred to his official residence in Vienna. The extensive 225 ha English-style park, with terraces, a rose garden and statues, was established at the same time.

Konopiště je zámek v historizujícím stylu nedaleko města Benešov ve Středočeském kraji, 40 km jihovýchodně od Prahy. Leží asi 2 km na západ od centra Benešova. Dnes je znám především jako hlavní a poslední sídlo následníka trůnu rakousko-uherského, arcivévody Františka Ferdinanda d'Este a jeho české manželky Žofie Chotkové, jehož zavraždění v Sarajevu bylo záminkou spuštění první světové války. Areál je dnes chráněn jako Národní kulturní památka České republiky. Je ve vlastnictví státu (správu zajišťuje Národní památkový ústav) a je přístupný veřejnosti.

Parking 600 m below the castle https://www.zamek-konopiste.cz/cs/informace-pro-navstevniky/vstupne https://www.zamek-konopiste.cz/cs/informace-pro-navstevniky/vstupne https://www.zamek-konopiste.cz/cs/informace-pro-navstevniky/vstupne Free: - Children up to 6 years - Holders of ZTP / P and ZTP / P (upon presentation of the card) - Holders of the ZTP card up to 18 years - Holders of the Endangered Children's Fund card - ICOM Card Holders, ICOMOS, Association of Museums and Galleries of the Czech Republic, Employee ID Cards (max 1 + 3 family members), Free NPP Tickets and Journalists after prior accreditation

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