Medieval castles in Czech Republic

Starý Rybník Castle

Ruins of Starý Rybník castle are on a tiny rocky ridge between two ponds at the village of Starý Rybník. The castle was probably founded sometime during later part of the 14th century. Soon afterwards the castle passed on to the Frankengrüner family from Cheb. It was later acquired by the Gumerauers and the Brambachs, and throughout the major part of the 16th century it belonged to the Lords of Wirsperg. In the follo ...
Founded: 14th century | Location: Skalná, Czech Republic

Vartenberk Castle

In the 13th century, the Gothic Vartenberk castle was built on the site of a guard castle to protect the Zittau Záhvožď trade route. The founder of the castle was probably Markvart of Březno. In 1563 the castle was rebuilt as a Renaissance chateau which was visited even by Emperor Franz Joseph I. in 1865. In modern history, the chateau served as accommodation for holidaymakers, however, later on it was devastated by ...
Founded: 13th century | Location: Stráž pod Ralskem, Czech Republic

Hartenstein Castle

Hartenštejn (originally Hartenstein) is a late Gothic ruined castle. There is around 1km long marked path to the site from Bochov. The castle was built before 1473 when it was first time mentioned in documents. It was abandoned after 1609.
Founded: 15th century | Location: Bochov, Czech Republic

Touzim Castle

Toužim town was first mentioned in a document from 1354, where was written about the site of a Premonstratensian provostry. The surrounding fortified town and castle were founded in 1469 during the Hussite Wars. The current appearance dates mainly from the mid-17th century. Today sime parts of castle remain.
Founded: 1469 | Location: Toužim, Czech Republic

Egerberk Castle Ruins

Egerberk is a ruined castle near Klášterec nad Ohří. First mentioned in 1317, the castle belonged to Wilhelm who first started to bear the attribute name 'of Egerberg'. Wilhelm was a friend of John of Luxembourg and accompanied him on his journeys. His brother Fritz was given several villages and started to bear the name of one of them - Pětipsy. The castle was then sold to the House of Šumburk from a nearby c ...
Founded: 1317 | Location: Klášterec nad Ohří, Czech Republic

Pravda Castle Ruins

Pravda Castle was a castle, the remains of which can be found on the hill above the village of Pnětluky. The name literally means the truth. The first document to mention Pravda was written in 1380. Today"s castle was probably built during second half of 15th century on top of a prehistoric fortification. At the time of construction it was a very modern and strong fortress. During the 16th century the importance ...
Founded: 15th century | Location: Pnětluky, Czech Republic

Libštejn Castle

Libštejn castle is located above the Berounka south of Liblín in the Rokycany district. The castle was built by the royal construction manager Ulrich Tista von Liebstein as a private residence and was first mentioned in writing in 1361. At the end of the 14th century the castle came into the possession of the lords of Kolowrat. In the Hussite Wars belonged Libštejn Bedřich von Kolowrat, who, together with his brother ...
Founded: 14th century | Location: Rokycany, Czech Republic

Vlčtejn Castle

Vlčtejn was first mentioned in 1284 as Wildenstein due to the bizzare high rock which it was built on. At first just a small, mostly wooden fort, it was widely rebuilt in the 14th century into a stone castle. It was a far, but important county owned by the wealthy Rosenberg family, and stood in the center of many historical events. 1421 seized by Hussites due to the owner deserting to their enemy, it stayed in the hands ...
Founded: 13th century | Location: Blovice, Czech Republic

Pajrek Castle

The ruins of the Pajrek Castle (Burg Bayereck) lie above the town of Nýrsko in the western part of the Bohemian Forest at a height of 505 metres above sea level. This important border castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century, but by 1472 it had already been abandoned. In 1504, the castle was rebuilt, but it was only used until the middle of the 16th century, when it was finally abandoned. Only the remains o ...
Founded: 14th century | Location: Nýrsko, Czech Republic

Hartenberg Castle

Hartenberg castle was probably built in the early 13th century by the lords of Hartenberg. The first information is from the year 1214. The Hartenberg family owned the castle until 1362, when Tema of Koldice obtained it from them and traded it in 1364 with Charles IV for Budysin. At the beginning of 15th century the Hartenberg family received the castle again but soon sold it to Jan Malerik. His descendants used the castl ...
Founded: 13th century | Location: Josefov, Czech Republic

Buben Castle

First mentioned in 1349, but possibly older, Buben castle was home of the knights of Buben (means literally 'drum'), and held it´s name even under other owners. The family sold their first castle around 1378 (they had other castles then), but they use the family name Buben until today. The castle often changed owners together with the surrounding lands, it wasn´t used for living because of it´s isolated posit ...
Founded: 14th century | Location: Plešnice, Czech Republic

Roupov Castle

The Gothic Roupov castle was founded in the 13th century, and after a Renaissance modernization was one of the most beautiful Czech castles. The now completely standing part was built later and is being used by the current owners, the old ruined part hides many original architectural pieces, and is freely accesible. The original black kitchen with a medieval chimney is still present, and a gothique well. The castle was in ...
Founded: 13th century | Location: Přeštice, Czech Republic

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.