Castles

In case of an enemy attack, the residential building had to conform to the security requirements. Another reason for building the castles was to protect trade routes and land borders. Castles were usually equipped with fortifications, towers, walls, drawbridge, moats and ramparts. However, a stay in tight, cool and not very sunny castles was very rough. In the 13th and 14th century both the owner and at the same time the builder of the castle, preferred to build a safe and defensible building than a comfortable housing. Only during the 14th and at the turn of the 15th century one can observe that the requirements of defense stepped back. The fortification is limited just to the necessary minimum and the castle residents prefer the convenience and comfort. As the needs of the castle owners have been changing, also the castle itself had changed. The ones that could not be rebuilt into chateaus, or other type of new settlement, were abandoned and over time have changed into ruins. Some of them were used as a source of building materials for a wide area in the surroundings. An interest for the castles is reborn yet at the beginning of the 19th century thanks to a period of Romanticism.

     Břečtejn - castle ruin

Břečtejn Castle once formed from the point of view of fortifications a single structural unit - the castle including a tower and enclosed by walls. After being destroyed by the Swedes in the 17th century, only the high walls have remained from the castle to the present day. The castle has open access.

www.trutnov.cz/article.asp?article_id=444

     Červená Hora - castle ruin

At Červená hora (Red Hill) between 1253 – 1278 the castle Rothenburg (Červená Hora) was built. The small remains of the castle are located on the rocky cliffs above the River Úpa.

www.hrady.cz/index.php?OID=542| Červená Hora

     Frymburk - castle ruin

The Frymburk Castle was established at the beginning of the 14th century. It represents an interesting combination of strength, defiance, height of fortification and also of ground plan. One can say that among the castles in the Czech Republic, this one is very unique. Its importance was also visible in the former name of the north part of Orlické Mountains (including the Vrchmezí Mtn.), which were previously called the Frymburk Mountains.

www.novy-hradek.cz | Nový Hrádek

     Kost - castle

National cultural monument. One of the best preserved Gothic castles in the Czech Republic from the middle of the 14th century, partially reconstructed and extended during the Renaissance. Here we can see a Renaissance scullery, dungeon and examples of historical weaponry.

www.hrad-kost.cz | obec Libošovice

     Kumburk - castle ruin

The Gothic castle was built on a high basalt knoll near Nová Paka. These days all that remains are the walls and a round tower, in which Eliška Smiřická is said to have been imprisoned for falling in love with a peasant boy.

www.kumburk.cz | obec Syřenov

     Pařez - castle ruin

Openly accessible ruins of a Middle Age castle on the edge of Prachovské skály (Prachovské Rocks). A part carved into the rocks is what has remained preserved to date. Other objects may only be found in small indications. In its time it was a base for robbers, hence it was burned down.

www.hrady.cz | Pařezská Lhota

     Pecka - castle

The Gothic castle with strong fortification originally from the beginning of the 14th century was later in the 17th century rebuilt into the Renaissance chateau. Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bedružice and Albrecht of Valdštejn belonged to its most famous owners.

http://www.obec-pecka.cz/hrad | Pecka

     Potštejn - castle ruin

Ruins of a monumental Gothic castle. Its history reaches back to the 13th century. Potštejn Castle is one of the most extensive ruins in the Czech Republic. The fortifications, castle gateways, and chapel are preserved. The castle palace has been reconstructed. Picturesque surroundings.

www.potstejn.cz | Potštejn

     Rýzmburk - castle ruin

Rýzmburk Castle was established in the second half of the 13th century. In the 17th century the castle was plundered by imperial army and destroyed by the Swedes. The castle had ramparts, a gateway, towers, inside the castle there stood two residential towers and a small palace.

www.hrady.cz | Žernov

     Vízmburk - castle ruin

Originally a Gothic castle built in the 13th century by the nobleman Tas, later called Tas of Vízmburk. In the 15th century the castle was destroyed by Silesians and gradually buried. Its greatest virtue is that the castle was not reconstructed (with the exception of the kitchens).

www.vizmburk.cz | Havlovice

The castle was first written about in 1484. To date a square wall of the original palace and ramparts made of quarried stone have been preserved. Openly accessible ruins are located on the cliffs above the confluence of the Bohdašínský Stream and the River Metuje.

www.castles.cz/hrad-vyrov/ | Nové Město nad Metují

Hradec Králové Region