Antiques in the castle

Anyone walking through the rooms of Smiřice Castle today will not find them empty. Period furniture, paintings, carpets and works of art give the rooms the atmosphere of a lived-in castle once again, and they are also for sale. Behind this are Paul Huysegems and Jindřich Karásek of Castle Stračov.

From castle restoration to antiques dealing

In 2006 they started a company dealing in historic property. Stračov Castle was one of its first major purchases and became the company's home. The restoration was no simple task, and the original furnishings had been lost. To give the castle back its historic character, they searched the Czech Republic and abroad for furniture from the right period. That search grew into a fully-fledged art and antiques business. Today they are members of the Czech Antiques Dealers Association (Asociace starožitníků) and of CINOA, the international confederation of art and antiques dealers.

Paul Huysegems

Paul Huysegems comes from Belgium and is the driving force behind the restoration of Smiřice Castle. He owns Stračov Castle and has collected antique furniture and art for many years. His particular interest lies in period furniture, painting and the furnishing of authentic interiors. He is just as happy to advise on a single striking piece as on a complete interior.

Jindřich Karásek

Jindřich Karásek comes from the Czech Republic and studied art history and antiques. He collects carpets himself. He is responsible for sales, contact with clients and the day-to-day running of the business, and he also speaks Dutch and German.

Antiques in Smiřice and Stračov

Paul sells antiques at Smiřice Castle and at Stračov Castle. The pieces are not shown in a shop but in historic rooms like those for which such furniture was once made, so visitors see them as they were meant to be seen. Besides sales, the company also renovates and restores furniture and provides safe transport within the Czech Republic. Visits are by appointment.

More information: zamekstracov.cz

A dining room with a tapestry and the great dining hall of Smiřice Castle, furnished with antique furniture.

A salon with a painting and a cabinet, and the vaulted gallery of Smiřice Castle.