The first written mention of Svijany is from 1345, when the village was owned by a Cistercian monastery in Mnichovo Hradiště.

In 1565, Svijany was acquired by Jaroslav of Wartenberg, who had built a Renaissance castle here.

Upon Jaroslav's death in 1602, the village passed to Joachim Andreas von Schlick.

As a rebel against Habsburg rule of Bohemia, he was executed in 1621, and in 1623, Svijany came under control of Albrecht of Wallenstein.

Today the castle is open to the public, contains several exhibitions, and is also used as a hotel and restaurant.