Bohemy

Now we'll talk about castle Zvikov located in Southern Czech.Construction of Zvikov begun in cca 1234 during rule of Wenceslav I. whose often enjoyed stay there.During the rule of Premysl Otakar II (1250-1278) construction continued and the inner area,including royal palace and surrounding fortifications was builded.Zvikov experienced glories days during the rule of Charles VI-he thoroughly renovated the castle and until Karlstejn was completed,Zvikov served us a sanctuary for the Crown jewels.Later on Zvikov eminent as a royal castle diminished and Zvikov changed hands frequently-most often between two prominent families Rozmberk and Svamberk.

During the Husite wars Zvikov was beseiged by the Taborites,but it wasn't conquered.Same thing happened during Thirty Years War-Zvikov was able to resist aggressors until 1622 when outnumbered Zvikov defenders surrendered to imperial troops.

Eggenbergs family obtained castle in 1623 and when the family line died,Zvikov was passed on the Schwanzerberg family in 1719.This family holded Zvikov till 20th century.

OK it's a short story about the castle history-very short indeed

GPS:   Loc: 49°26'21.02"N,14°11'31.28"E

In this article I'd like to present you a castle Kost,located in Northern Czech.It's a mediaeval castle first mentioned in 1349.

Castle was build by Beneš von Wartenberg and finished by his son Peter-since then it was not changed.The castle is know by his so called "White tower" (Bílá Věž). In about 1414 the family of Zajíc von Hasenburg came in, later the family of Schellenberg (1497 - 1524), Lobkowicz (till 1576) and other ones.

Another peculiarity is the tower, which has a trapezoid like ground-plan. Like in some other cases the reason was, that in case of artillery fire the bullets should not hit the wall in a right angle (in this case the damage was the greatest).

Third brief description from castles and chateaux serial is done.Comments are always welcome.See ya next time.

GPS:  Loc: 50°29'24.83"N,15°8'6.38"E

This time I'd like to tell you about castle-named Cesky Sternberk located in the Benesov area.Castle is rising above the river,surrounding by a beautiful land.You can watch and learn about the birds of prey on 1st quadrangle during the season.

It's a time for a history lesson .

Originally a gothic keep from the 13th century, extended one century later, conquested and partially damaged by Jiří from Poděbrady armies in the middle of the 15th century. Renovated in Late Gothic style in the beginning of the 16th century, Baroque rebuilt with newly decored interiors during the following century. Last minor touch ups in the beginning of the 19th century.Baroque modified interiors with stuke and paintings decor and also with family collections.Baroque modified interiors with stuke and paintings decor and also with family collections.

I really enjoyed the time spent there,because they have highly educated guiders and they present you a history like a big exciting,spicy and mysterious story

OK second article is done I hope you enjoyed it and see ya next time.Bye for now.

GPS: Loc: 49°48'33.74"N,14°55'35.86"E

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In my opinion Hluboka is a nicest chateau I ever seen.I truly recommend everyone who traveling thru Czech Republic,especially thru South of the country,visit this chateau.It's a pearl among the chateaux.You should visit not only chateau itself but palace garden as well.And now a little bit from chateau history.

The original Hluboka Royal Castle (Frauenberg) was founded along with the nearby city of České Budějovice in the 13^th Century by Czech King Přemysl Otakar II. The castle underwent complicated development and its appearance was shaped by four reconstructions. The chateau owes its current Neo-Gothic appearance from the year 1871 to the Schwarzenberg family, which held the castle from the year 1661. They created a building with 140 lavishly furnished rooms, eleven towers (the main tower rising 60 metres) and citadels, whose jagged facade is dominated by a large Schwarzenberg emblem with the family motto "NIL NISI RECTUM" (Nothing but right). Hluboka gained its current form under the reign off Jan Adolf II Schwarzenberg and his spouse Eleanor, who decided to reconstruct the chateau based on the royal Windsor Castle. An English chateau park surrounds the castle.

This is a first article about castles,chateaux and ruins of the castles along the Czech.I'd like to bring closer look and data about it,before you visit my home country.

GPS:  Loc: 49°3'4.32"N,14°26'28.61"E

         UTM zone 33: N 5433298 E 459176

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