The house was built in 1605, initially as a library, picture gallery, and an art chamber to hold the collections of Petr Vok. The first books were placed on the shelves in 1608. It was a representative seat intended also for hosting the governor’s official guests. A collection of books was seen as an investment and also as a demonstration of their owner’s wealth, good general knowledge, and also intelligence.
Petr Vok used to collect much more than just books: artworks, paintings, time-measuring and meteorological instruments, and also various natural curiosities. The entire collection was kept in the northern wing of this house.
There is no doubt the house had been erected with a clear intellectual and representative purpose.
However, Petr Vok did not enjoy much of its beauties; he died in 1611. After that the books remained there for a few years, but eventually they had been moved to Prague where they were confiscated by the Swedes as the spoils of the Thirty Years’ War.
The house then served as municipal offices and flats and since the 19th century as a pharmacy. The pharmacist lived on the ground floor, and a physician on the first floor. The pharmacy was originally entered through a decorated portal, but another side entrance had been established more recently. In the recent years before the reconstruction the upper floor served for residential purposes. Sadly, none of the original interiors have been preserved; various alterations and conversions had caused a lot of damage to them.
Nowadays the house is held by private owners who have delivered a costly reconstruction and opened it to the public as a historical and cultural heritage with guided tours, various events, and an a year-round operation. The reconstruction was co-funded from the IROP funds.
The house has been generally known as a Chateau Pharmacy and it still bears this name. The 19th century pharmacy is presented through an exhibition on the ground floor. The top floor is dedicated to the story of Petr Vok, and the attic serves as a space for exhibitions and seasonal events.