Sokolov Castle

Sokolov Castle - Zámek Sokolov, Sokolov, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic.

Sokolov is first mentioned in written records in 1279, at which time a circular stronghold with a residential building stood on the site of the present-day chateau. The chateau’s current appearance dates back to the 17th century, with Classical-style modifications made in 1805. It became the home of a museum in 1960, when the Mining Museum of the Sokolov Region was established there. In 1982, this institution was transformed—first into a municipal museum and later into the Sokolov District Museum—featuring specialized departments and, from 1986, a new permanent exhibition. The exhibition has undergone various modifications over the years; the most significant to date began at the turn of 2012 and 2013, involving an expansion of the display. The newly opened section highlights the history of the Nostitz family, who owned the chateau from 1622 to 1945. Two additional rooms are dedicated to the work of the painter David Friedmann, who was active in the Sokolov region between 1946 and 1947. A gradual renovation of the exhibition has been underway since 2014 and is scheduled for completion in 2017.