The chateau was built in the second half of the 16th century on the site of the castle of the Lord of Osek.
Baroque renovations were carried out at the end of the 17th century by the architect Jean Baptiste Mathey. Further renovations were undertaken in the 18th century by F. M. Kaňka.
In 1959, the important Reiner frescoes were moved from a ruined hospital to the cupola´d pavilion.
Giacoma Casanova spent the last years of his life as the librarian here; others who stayed at the chateau include Goethe, Schiller, Beethoven, Chopin, Haydn and Mozart.