Still no bidder for Štiřín Chateau which hosted presidents and cabinet ministers

A second attempt to auction off Štiřín Chateau, a luxury property and estate belonging to the state, failed this week when no bidder came forward to place the required auction deposit.

To encourage participation in the auction, the deposit was lowered to CZK 25 million, down from the previous CZK 30 million.

The state office putting the property on sale had originally demanded a minimum starting price of CZK 3.3 billion in the first round of the auction. For the second round, it lowered the price to 2.4 billion, but to no avail.

Park at the Štiřín Chateau|Photo: Markéta Vejvodová, Czech Radio

According to the office, several bidders have viewed the chateau in the village of Kamenice, but no offer has been made.

The authority will now announce a third round of the electronic auction.

Historically, Štiřín Chateau operated as a luxury hotel, complete with a restaurant, wellness center, and golf course. However, the site has been closed since its transfer from the Foreign Ministry to the Property Office in June 2023. No other state institutions expressed interest in taking over management of the site. As a result, the chateau is now being offered for sale to private buyers.

Štiřín Chateau|Photo: Markéta Vejvodová, Czech Radio

The costs of maintaining the unused chateau are substantial, with monthly expenses estimated at CZK 600,000, primarily due to the upkeep of the golf course. In the last 10 years, the state paid 260 million crowns for the chateau’s maintenance, which has led it to push for a swift sale.

"The goal is to find a private owner who would find a meaningful use for this exceptional Baroque property“ the state office said.

The Baroque chateau with its English style-park, located some 25 kms southeast of Prague, was built in the mid-18th century. It acquired its present appearance around 1900 after modifications designed by architect Jiří Stibral. Between 1985 and 1993, the chateau was renovated so that it could be used as a hotel. In 1945 it was purchased by the state and is used for government meetings with foreign dignitaries.

Park at the Štiřín Chateau|Photo: Markéta Vejvodová, Czech Radio