The oldest reference to Tockczaw dates back to 1240, and Duchcov, the old Czech name, appears on a document from 1363. Two periods of development mark Duchcov's history: one under George of Poděbrady, King of Bohemia, and the other under the Wallensteins. The name Wallenstein was connected with that of Giacomo Casanova, the fabled globe -trotter who spent the last 13 years of life at the château of Duchcov as librarian, compiling his well-known memories. It is the Wallenstein family's credit that the Virgin Mary Announcement Church and the smaller St Barbara's Church were completed in 1721 and that the baroque hospital with the famous fresco from Reiner followed in 1728. The Most Holy Trinity sculptural group from the local sculptor Matyáš Kuhnel was placed to the centre of the square. The château's last reconstruction dates back to the l9th century and its classical looks have not changed since. The château park was also reshaped to acquire its present Englishstyle face at that time. Duchcov then became district centre and experienced another period of explosive growth thanks to coal mining, a new sugar factory and West Bohemia's first glass works. More architectonic sights were added in this century: the Protestant church from 1902; the German grammar school; the hospital; two more glass works; the porcelain manufactory. Modern Duchcov is a centre of culture and social life for the western part of the Teplice County. It has The First Private Theatre Company, the community house with a rich selection of cultural programs and events, holds exhibitions of historical furniture, of the Czech baroque art, and of Giacomo Casanova, all accommodated in the château. The Wallenstein Hall often resounds with live serious music. The moving pictures also contributes to cultural life. The Casanova Festival animates Duchcov each June. A Restoration Program has been started to rehabilitate buildings included in the National Treasure Zone, most of wchi are situated in the centre. One of the freshly restored houses is now occupied by the Town Museum and the Information Centre. Another interesting house is the pavilion from 1960 which is now adorned by the fresco moved here from the old hospital that had been torn down. You can find it in the park not far away from the château. The good news for visitors is that Duchcov has got a good network of boarding and accommodation facilities, one of them being the Casanova -House.

The Duchcov Château

A view of the town of Duchcov from across the Barbara Pond

Former evangelical church

Walther von der Vogelweide