Světce Riding Hall

Světce Riding Hall is one of the most distinctive monuments in the Tachov area. The monumental building stands in the hamlet of Světce west of Tachov and is connected with the Windischgrätz family. It was built in the 19th century as part of an ambitious plan to transform the former Pauline monastery and its surroundings into a representative aristocratic residence. Today it is a national cultural monument operated by the Tachov Municipal Cultural Centre.

The building is exceptional in both scale and purpose. It is the largest riding hall in the Czech Republic and the second largest in Central Europe. Its history is dramatic: after the Second World War the building stood neglected for decades, the town of Tachov acquired it after 1997, and a major restoration ran from 2000 to 2023. Thanks to this work, a once-derelict structure has become one of the most attractive visitor destinations in the area.

Tours

The main visitor route is guided and lasts at least 75 minutes. It leads through the main hall, stables, gallery, accommodation rooms, attic, former harness room, blacksmithing exhibition, forge, blacksmith's flat, carriage corridor and princely box. There is also a smaller self-guided route called Herbalism and Český les.

Světce Riding Hall also serves as a cultural venue. Concerts, exhibitions, wedding ceremonies and other events take place here, so it is worth checking the current programme and any tour changes before visiting. The interior can be cool even outside winter; choose clothing suitable for the current temperature inside the building.

Admission

Practical Information

Tours follow a seasonal calendar. In the main season the site is open more often; in July and August tours run daily, while outside the season they are mainly on selected days and weekends. A tour reservation can be requested through the form on the venue website.

Contacts and Directions

• Website: jizdarnasvetce.cz
• Reservations: book a tour
• Address: Jízdárna Světce, 347 01 Tachov
• GPS: 49.802795, 12.606921
• Phone: 778 530 554
• E-mail: info@jizdarnasvetce.cz