Built between 1568-1581, this fine example of a Renaissance castle is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its façades are adorned with superb sgraffito decoration, with Italian-inspired arcades running along the side facing the inner courtyard. Bedřich Smetana, the father of Czech music, was born in one of the castle annexes in 1824 and so it is fitting that music concerts and an opera festival are now held in the castle theatre, which dates from 1796.