Pluhův Žďár is located near Kardašova Řečice, about 16 km from Jindřichův Hradec.
The center of a former agricultural estate, it now has a landscaped garden, and a new entrance and outdoor parking lot are planned, as well as a fountain that’s not just pretty but also provides a place for children to play.
In the 12th century, the fortress was owned by Pluh of Rabštejn, a clerk of Oldřich of Hradec. The name of the village is taken from the name of this first owner whose family owned the fortress and the entire village until the 15th century. The medieval fortress, later rebuilt into a small castle, was purchased in 1928 by Bedřich Beneš, brother of President Edvard Beneš. In 1948 the castle was confiscated and used for residential purposes.
The Beneš family comes from here, so the current owner Radim Beneš, after serving as local mayor for four terms and as the greatgreat-nephew of the former president, tells the story of himself and his family: “The castle was the property of my great-grandfather, Bedřich Beneš. My father and my mother worked in the local agricultural co-op. Where the renovated building with a guesthouse stands today, that used to be a cow-house, and my mother milked the cows there every morning. The rear tract was where feed was prepared, but today there’s a large dining room. Right now a group of disabled children from the summer camp are having lunch. They take turns in groups.”
Radim Beneš inherited his ancestors’ toughness and diplomacy, and he alternated from working on the restitution to working for the village. He was sixteen when he began to deal with all the restitution documents. He resigned as mayor at the end of 2015 so that he could renew the family property. His interest in public affairs is still alive, though, so maybe he’ll return to politics.
The castle is used for wedding ceremonies and festive occasions, but it’s also here for the local people. The castle courtyard has been paved, a theater for kids is active here, and the owner is considering a new “presidential” suite to bring together the spirit of the former president and modern facilities for newlyweds.
For Radim Beneš, the restoration of his grandparents’ properties is top priority; he loves the castle and the entire estates around it. If you don’t see him behind the wheel of a dump truck hauling stones, he’s probably taking care of the new driveway.
Nearby tips: Červená Lhota A fairy-tale water castle, one of the most visited sites in the South Bohemian Region.