Once known as the village of Bratroň’s people, Bratronice has a long and rich history. The first written mention of Bratronice dates back to 1227. At that time, the village was owned by the St. George’s Convent in Prague. Imagine the nuns overseeing the lands. They ensured Bratronice thrived.
For centuries, Bratronice was linked to Křivoklát and Okoř. It shared owners and their fortunes. The village saw noble families rise and fall. Each left their mark on Bratronice.
In 1603, Jan Hořdice of Prostého transformed the original fortress. He built a late-Renaissance castle. His coat of arms featured two bear paws facing upwards. These paws became a symbol of Bratronice. At its peak, Bratronice included several villages. Mirotice, Bezděkov, and others were all part of its estate.
After Jan Hořdice’s death, Bratronice passed to his daughter Saloména. Her daughter Markéta married into the Lažanský family. The Lažanskýs were a prominent family. They resided in Buková and Osek. Ferdinand, Count Lažanský, was the most famous of this family.
In 1739, creditors of Adam, Count Lažanský, gained ownership. Later, the Gfässer family owned Bratronice until 1831. Christian Josef Gfässer expanded the castle chapel in 1758. He added a manorial oratory. This chapel hosted regular services for locals. People from all surrounding villages attended. Christian also created a French-style castle garden. The garden included a Renaissance portal on its eastern side.
In 1831, Josef Knight Talacko of Ještětice became the owner. Alois Jirásek mentioned him in one of his stories. Knight Talacko was an old bachelor. He had fought against Napoleon in 1809. In 1835, he attended the coronation of Emperor Ferdinand V in Prague. He was knighted during this event.
In 1864, Talacko bequeathed his property to his nephew Josef Battaglia. The Battaglia family owned Bratronice until 1945. After 1945, Bratronice faced new challenges. In 1957, the establishment of a unified agricultural cooperative changed life. Private farming ended and collective farming began.
In 1990, the castle was restituted. Baroness Blanka sold it to the Špalov family from Prague in 1994. Despite being called a “castle,” the building is more of a manor house. It is connected to the adjacent farm. This farm is where its owners lived. The Bratronice estate included 18 fishponds. The largest was Velký pond, measuring 12.21 hectares.
Today, Bratronice is a living testament to its past. The Church of All Saints stands as a landmark. It was built in the late Baroque style between 1780 and 1783. As you wander through Bratronice, remember its long story. From noble estates to agricultural changes, Bratronice has seen it all.