Cheb, one of the oldest towns in the Czech Republic, will take you back in time to the era of castles, merchant houses, and famous military leaders. We will introduce you to four of Cheb’s treasures and add some useful tips.

 

Cheb Castle

The castle is not only the only Staufer imperial palace (Pfalz) in our country but also a silent witness to the murder of the adjutants of Duke Albrecht von Wallenstein, whom we will discuss later. The best-preserved parts of the original complex are the defensive Black Tower and the chapel.

And what was the purpose of imperial palaces (Pfalzen)? They were early medieval castles that essentially formed a network of residences through which the ruler and his court could travel, providing them with the necessary facilities. The ruler did not govern from a single location but instead moved between different parts of the empire.

The name of the castle tower, which offers a magnificent view of the historic part of the city, comes from the black volcanic tuff used in its construction, brought from the nearby Komorní Hůrka.

The unique interior of the Romanesque-Gothic Chapel of St. Martin, Erhard, and Ursula boasts magnificent architecture and rich sculptural decorations with floral ornaments and figural scenes. However, we also didn’t miss the alchemy laboratory, which we reached via a spiral staircase leading from the upper part of the chapel.

The original medieval castle well was rediscovered during the removal of the auditorium of the former summer cinema. Today, it is surrounded by a stone fountain with a replica of a medieval windlass.

We explored the castle on our own without a guide, but printed information was available, which we received directly at the ticket office.

Address: Dobrovského 21, Cheb

 

Parking tip:

We parked right in front of the castle on Trčky z Lípy Street. Parking is allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a 90-minute time limit using a parking disc, which was plenty of time for our tour of the castle.

 

Church of Saint Nicholas and Saint Elizabeth

This oldest church in Cheb has preserved both of its original Romanesque towers and a late Gothic Hall.

Notable exhibits include a Romanesque baptismal font and nine carved faces of the medieval builders of this church, gazing down from the portal above the main entrance. We also admired the large colourful stained-glass windows and the rare frescoes on the temple’s columns. Additionally, we visited the underground crypt, which houses an exhibition of historical ecclesiastical objects.

Address: Kostelní náměstí 188, Cheb

 

Parking tip:

You can park for free right below the church at Kasární Square. A beautiful staircase adorned with statues of saints will then lead you up to the church.

 

King George of Poděbrady Square

Just a few steps from the church lies King George of Poděbrady Square (náměstí krále Jiřího z Poděbrad), dominated by the Špalíček (Stöckl)—a cluster of eleven medieval merchant houses. These buildings are characterized by the so-called half-timbered construction, typical of the Cheb region. We made our tour of these houses more interesting by walking through the narrow Kramářská (Merchant's) Alley, which divides the entire complex into two separate parts.

 

Pachelbel House – Cheb Museum

Behind Špalíček stands Pachelbel House, named after the most famous of its owners. It is also one of the best-preserved burgher houses on the square. The museum was opened here as early as 1874.

This very house witnessed in 1634 the assassination of Albrecht von Wallenstein, a prominent Czech military leader and politician. He was murdered at the instigation of the emperor, who feared the influential and ambitious Duke of Friedland. You can learn more in the museum, where a special exhibit is dedicated to this historical figure, recounting the events of the time and their context.

Additionally, the museum displays valuable artisanal artifacts and objects documenting the history of the town and the region.

Also worth mentioning is the restored ethnographic stove, which depicts not only the events of rural life from Mardi Gras through May celebrations to Christmas but also the key milestones of human life, such as weddings or christenings.

Address: náměstí Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad 493, Cheb

 

Where to go for delicious coffee?

We fell in love with Gallery Coffee —a café with its own roastery. You can also enjoy the coffee on a charming terrace with a Renaissance arcaded balcony.

Address: náměstí Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad 508/7, Cheb

 

Our final tip:

The Fine Arts Gallery in Cheb offers a cross-section of art from the Middle Ages to the present. The main location in the New Town Hall Palace attracts visitors with Gothic sculptures, modern 20th-century works, and contemporary projects by young artists.

Address: náměstí Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad 16, Cheb

Nostalgia lovers should not miss a visit to the Retromuseum, which showcases the lifestyle and design of socialist Czechoslovakia. This branch of the gallery is located in the historic Schiller House, where the famous poet Friedrich Schiller stayed in 1791 (then at the Golden Stag Inn).

The exhibition maps the period between the 1958 World's Fair (Expo 58) and the Velvet Revolution, telling stories of everyday life. Here, you will discover authentic reconstructions of living rooms, kitchens, and offices, quaint "home-made art" from the DIY era and iconic pieces of Czechoslovak design—from the legendary vacuum cleaners by Stanislav Lachman to the toys of Libuše Niklová or the ESKA folding bike.

Address: náměstí Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad 17, Cheb

A joint ticket will open the doors to both the Retromuseum and the Fine Arts Gallery.