Stepping into Střelnice Sklep is not your typical shooting range experience. Instead of the sterile, industrial feel of modern concrete facilities, you are greeted by the weight of history. The massive stone vaults and arched ceilings tell a story that stretches back over six centuries. This is more than just a place to practice marksmanship, it is a living landmark in the heart of Domažlice, where the echoes of a medieval brewery meet the sharp crack of modern ballistics.
1341: A Royal Decree and the Birth of Tradition
The story begins in the year 1341, a time of knights and kings. King John of Bohemia, also known as John the Blind, granted the town of Domažlice a prestigious brewing privilege. In the medieval world, beer was not just a beverage but a vital part of the economy and a safe alternative to water. This royal decree led to the founding of the brewery “U Svaté studny” (At the Holy Well).
The cellars that now house our shooting lanes were originally designed for a very different purpose: the slow, cool fermentation and storage of Bohemian lager. Without the benefit of modern refrigeration, the deep, massive stone walls were the only way to maintain a consistent temperature through the hot summer months. For hundreds of years, these vaults were filled with the heavy scent of hops and malt, and the sound of wooden barrels being rolled across the stone floors. The very walls that now absorb the sound of gunshots once protected the town’s most precious liquid assets.
1895: The Era of Modernization
As the 19th century drew to a close, the industrial revolution was reshaping the world. In 1895, the town council of Domažlice decided to modernize its brewing operations. The original brewery “U Svaté studny” in Poděbradova Street was deemed too small and outdated for the growing demand. Production was moved to a state-of-the-art facility in the Týnské suburb, leaving the old vaults behind.
While the city above continued to evolve through the 20th century, surviving world wars and political shifts, these underground chambers remained largely untouched. This period of quiet allowed the original stonework to be preserved in its most authentic form. Today, these spaces are protected as part of the UNESCO heritage zone, serving as a silent witness to the craftsmanship of medieval stonemasons. When you stand at the firing line today, you are touching stones that have stood firm for nearly 700 years – a testament to the endurance of Bohemian architecture.
2020: The Tactical Renaissance
In 2020, a new chapter began for these ancient cellars. While the upper parts of the building saw a return to brewing tradition under the Municipal Brewery Domažlice, the deep underground vaults found a new, dynamic purpose. The concept of Střelnice Sklep was born – a “Guntry Club” that blends the luxury of a private lounge with the precision of a professional shooting range.
Converting a medieval beer cellar into a high-tech shooting facility was no small feat. It required a delicate balance between preserving the historical integrity of the stone vaults and meeting the strictest modern safety and ventilation standards. Every piece of equipment, from the high-performance air filtration systems to the automated target retrievers, had to be integrated with minimal impact on the historic structure. The result is a one-of-a-kind environment where the natural acoustics of the stone arches provide exceptional sound dampening, creating a shooting experience unlike any other in Europe.
The Guntry Club Experience
Today, Střelnice Sklep offers three 25-meter lanes equipped with wireless video transmission, allowing shooters to see their hits instantly on high-definition monitors. Whether you are firing a vintage replica or a modern tactical rifle, the contrast between the ancient setting and the cutting-edge technology adds a unique layer of immersion to every session.
After your time on the range, you can relax in our modern bar area, which honors the building’s heritage with its design. The journey from brewery to shooting range is a story of adaptation and respect for the past. It is a place where you can experience the thrill of precision sports while surrounded by the legacy of the 14th century. We invite you to step into the vault and become part of the next chapter in the history of Domažlice.