Pecka Castle, Pecka, Czech Republic

Pecka Castle is a gem of the Podkrkonoší region. From the castle lookout, you can see the central massif of the Krkonoše Mountains with the peaks of Sněžka and Černá hora, or the highest point of the region, Zvičina.

Pecka Castle was founded in the early 13th century. In the late 16th century, the Gothic castle was rebuilt to a Renaissance residence. It flourished at the beginning of the 17th century when it was inhabited by Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice (1564–1621), an educated Renaissance intellectual. He spent his last and the most fruitful period of his life there. Kryštof Harant went down in Czech history as a traveller, composer, writer and politician.

The tour of Pecka Castle includes a tour of the reconstructed Harant Palace where there are seven interior rooms, a torture chamber and a basement vault. The exposition on the first and second floor focuses on the history of the castle, the life and work of Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice, and generally on the period of Renaissance and Early Baroque.

An interesting part is the tour of a stylish open-hearth kitchen with an operating Renaissance fireplace and the basement vault with the torture chamber. The best known instruments of torture are on display in the torture chamber, from the rack and windlass to the Spanish boot. The tour is livened up with an authentic demonstration of melodies from a hundred-year-old harmonicon. There is also an interesting well; it is illuminated and 56 metres deep.

References:

visitczechia.com

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Huong Pham (8 months ago)
Small beautiful castle ?

Karel Zadrobílek (4 years ago)
Beatiful calm place, nice countryside

Petr Litera (5 years ago)
Almost as empty shell as Karlstejn. Nevertheless, the interiors are well reconstructed and the cellars offer cool air even in the heatwaves. Unexperienced, but nice guides. Visit the sweetshop @ square!

venousek001 (5 years ago)
Good place to visit.

Václav Navrátil (7 years ago)
Nicely reconstructed castle ruins with great guides.

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