The historic Zelená Hora Castle near Nepomuk in the Plzeň Region will soon transfer ownership following a decision by the Municipality of Klášter (Monastery). The local council approved the sale of the property for CZK 30 million to Klaus Timber, a wood-processing company headquartered in the region. The agreement comes after the municipality cited limited financial resources to maintain and renovate the site, which has been under its ownership since 1992. The castle, best known for the 1817 discovery of the forged “Zelená Hora Manuscript” and as the setting of the satirical novel The Black Barons, is in need of extensive repairs. According to Mayor Lukáš Brož (non-affiliated, For a More Beautiful Monastery), the decision to accept Klaus Timber’s offer was based not only on the offered price but also on the company’s ability to finance the purchase without loans or payment deferrals (ČTK, July 2025). The castle complex, which spans approximately 4.5 hectares, includes the main building, the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a gate tower, stables, and the former bailiff’s residence. “Only the roofs have undergone repairs, which we’ve carried out incrementally over the years,” Brož told Czech News Agency (ČTK). The estimated market value of the property was approximately CZK 35 million, and the sale price is considered in line with current market conditions and the municipality’s strategic priorities. Klaus Timber, which operates three plants in the Nepomuk area and employs around 450 people, has pledged to make the castle accessible to the public and pursue gradual restoration. Marcel Klaus, chairman of the board and director of Klaus Timber, emphasized that the company views the purchase as a contribution to regional heritage, rather than a speculative investment. “My wife and I are both from Nepomuk. Our goal is to preserve and gradually improve the site as part of our long-term commitment to the area,” he said in a statement. While no immediate large-scale reconstruction is planned, Klaus Timber intends to work over the coming years on restoring the property. The final purchase agreement is expected to be signed between September and October 2025, following the reservation agreement with a real estate agency. Previously, the Plzeň Region and the Ministry of Culture had expressed interest in the site. In 2023, they supported a feasibility study with a grant of nearly CZK 2 million to explore cultural and educational uses for the property, including potential exhibitions on local history and totalitarianism. Despite this, the municipality ultimately opted for a private buyer. Klaus Timber reports annual revenues between CZK 1.5 and 2 billion, exporting approximately 70% of its production. Its client portfolio includes companies such as BMW, Siemens, and Bosch. The transaction highlights the financial challenges municipalities face in maintaining historical monuments and the role regional enterprises can play in preserving cultural heritage. Source: CTK Photo: zelenahora.cz