Zvíkov Castle
Encyclopedia
Zvíkov often called "the king of Czech castles", is a castle located at the junction of the Vltava
and Otava rivers, some 15 km north of Písek
, in the South Bohemian Region
, Czech Republic
, next to the village Zvíkovské Podhradí
. It is placed on a hard to access and steep promontory
above the confluence
of rivers Vltava
and Otava
. The castle is one of the most important early-Gothic castles in Czech lands
.
The area was inhabited as early as prehistoric times when the Celts built a fort here around the time of Jesus' life. The current castle was built in the first half of the 13th century, most probably on the orders of King Přmysl Otakar I
, but the exact date is not known. The first written mention of the castle comes from year 1234 and owned by the Kings of Bohemia.
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Originally a small complex, the castle was continuously extended until 1278. After the Přemyslid dynasty died out in 1306 Zvíkov became property of the Rožmberk family
. After 1337 the settlement under the castle has been fortified, as a part of thorough repairs. Its fortifications were so strong that even the Hussites, during the Hussite Wars
, besieged it for four months in 1429, but found it a tough nut to crack and failed to take it. To protect against heavy artillery its walls were further strengthened.
Although Emperor Charles IV placed it on a list of royal castles not to be pawned, his successors ignored his decree and by 1431 it was in the possession of the Rožmberk dynasty. At the start of Thirty Years' War
Zvíkov was owned by a rebellious Protestant nobleman whose garrison of 140 men successfully defended the castle against 4000 Hapsburg troops in 1618. The defendants agreed to capitulate to the Emperor's forces only in October 1622. Subsequently it was looted and devastated. During 1640s the Švanberks modified the palace and extended it in Renaissance
style.
After the damaged inflicted by the war, Zvíkov was restored, but its glory was long gone and the castle served only for farming purposes. A fire accelerated the deterioration of its buildings in 1751. Thus a once-important seat of Czech kings it had become an almost ruin by the 1840s, at which time the Schwarzenbergs
, owners of the ruin, invested huge sums in a thorough reconstruction, which restored the heart of the castle to its former glory.
At the end of 17th century it ceased to have military value and was used as grannary. The decline continued and in 1751 fire damaged a large part of the palace. In 1780 the chapel was unblessed. The facade of the palace tumbled down in 1829 and between 1880-1902 the castle was reconstructed only to be confiscated by the state in 1947.
The Orlík Dam
, which was built during 1954-1962 and named after the Orlík Castle
, deluged the castle downtown and made Zvíkov easily accessible. Major restorations between 1970-1980 concentrated on the palace.
The oldest part of Zvíkov is a massive prismatic residential tower named Hlízová with palace buildings built on its sides. During the reign of Ottokar II of Bohemia
, a palace named Královský (King's Own) was built and this ground plan has been preserved until today. The new palace was built in lavish style and its parts were connected by monumental arcade
.
After 1473, Bohuslav of Svamberk commissioned mural decorations in the Chapel of St. Wenceslaus, which belongs to the masterpieces of early-gothic Czech architecture. The walls display the patron saints of Bohemia, the Virgin Mary the Protector, the Suffering Christ and the Martyrdom of St. Erasmus. The fortification was extended with Hláska, large 32 meters high tower (bergfrit) on the south side. The castle has two gates.
The castle has its own ghost, Zvíkov's imp, and had inspired several painters and writers like the theatrical comedy Zvíkovský rarášek by Ladislav Stroupežnický
. Today, Zvíkov (opened from Spring to Autumn) is hiking attraction and serves as a place of art exhibitions and stage plays.
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
and Otava rivers, some 15 km north of Písek
Písek
Písek is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of 29 909 .-About:Písek is usually called "The Athens of the South", although Athens is much more southerly, because it has many high schools and schools of higher education, e.g. the Film School in Písek...
, in the South Bohemian Region
South Bohemian Region
South Bohemian Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located mostly in the southern part of its historical land of Bohemia, with a small part in southwestern Moravia...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, next to the village Zvíkovské Podhradí
Zvíkovské Podhradí
Zvíkovské Podhradí is a small village in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 190 inhabitants.Medieval Zvíkov Castle lies next to the village and gave it its name .-External links:*...
. It is placed on a hard to access and steep promontory
Promontory
Promontory may refer to:*Promontory, a prominent mass of land which overlooks lower lying land or a body of water*Promontory, Utah, the location where the United States first Transcontinental Railroad was completed...
above the confluence
Confluence (geography)
In geography, a confluence is the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where two streams flow together, merging into a single stream...
of rivers Vltava
Vltava
The Vltava is the longest river in the Czech Republic, running north from its source in Šumava through Český Krumlov, České Budějovice, and Prague, merging with the Elbe at Mělník...
and Otava
Otava River
The Otava is a river in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. It is long and is a left tributary of the Vltava. The river flows through several towns, including Písek, Sušice and Strakonice. The river's name is of Celtic origin. It is a popular river for water sports. The local dialect of Prachens also...
. The castle is one of the most important early-Gothic castles in Czech lands
Czech lands
Czech lands is an auxiliary term used mainly to describe the combination of Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia. Today, those three historic provinces compose the Czech Republic. The Czech lands had been settled by the Celts , then later by various Germanic tribes until the beginning of 7th...
.
The area was inhabited as early as prehistoric times when the Celts built a fort here around the time of Jesus' life. The current castle was built in the first half of the 13th century, most probably on the orders of King Přmysl Otakar I
Ottokar I of Bohemia
-External links:...
, but the exact date is not known. The first written mention of the castle comes from year 1234 and owned by the Kings of Bohemia.
History
House of Rosenberg
The Rosenberg family was the most significant and influential Bohemian noble family playing important role in Czech medieval history from 13th century till 1611...
. After 1337 the settlement under the castle has been fortified, as a part of thorough repairs. Its fortifications were so strong that even the Hussites, during the Hussite Wars
Hussite Wars
The Hussite Wars, also called the Bohemian Wars involved the military actions against and amongst the followers of Jan Hus in Bohemia in the period 1419 to circa 1434. The Hussite Wars were notable for the extensive use of early hand-held gunpowder weapons such as hand cannons...
, besieged it for four months in 1429, but found it a tough nut to crack and failed to take it. To protect against heavy artillery its walls were further strengthened.
Although Emperor Charles IV placed it on a list of royal castles not to be pawned, his successors ignored his decree and by 1431 it was in the possession of the Rožmberk dynasty. At the start of Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
Zvíkov was owned by a rebellious Protestant nobleman whose garrison of 140 men successfully defended the castle against 4000 Hapsburg troops in 1618. The defendants agreed to capitulate to the Emperor's forces only in October 1622. Subsequently it was looted and devastated. During 1640s the Švanberks modified the palace and extended it in Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
style.
After the damaged inflicted by the war, Zvíkov was restored, but its glory was long gone and the castle served only for farming purposes. A fire accelerated the deterioration of its buildings in 1751. Thus a once-important seat of Czech kings it had become an almost ruin by the 1840s, at which time the Schwarzenbergs
House of Schwarzenberg
-History:The family was first mentioned in 1172. A branch of the Seinsheim family was created when Erkinger I of Seinsheim acquired the Franconian barony of Schwarzenberg, the castle Schwarzenberg and the title Baron of Schwarzenberg, in 1405–21. At this time, they also possessed some fiefdoms in...
, owners of the ruin, invested huge sums in a thorough reconstruction, which restored the heart of the castle to its former glory.
At the end of 17th century it ceased to have military value and was used as grannary. The decline continued and in 1751 fire damaged a large part of the palace. In 1780 the chapel was unblessed. The facade of the palace tumbled down in 1829 and between 1880-1902 the castle was reconstructed only to be confiscated by the state in 1947.
The Orlík Dam
Orlík Dam
The Orlík Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in the Czech Republic. It dams the Vltava River near the village of Solenice, which is near the town of Příbram. The structure is named after a chateau, which is situated a few kilometers above the dam...
, which was built during 1954-1962 and named after the Orlík Castle
Orlík Castle
Orlík Castle is a chateâu located 500 m northeast of the village of Orlík nad Vltavou, in the northern part of the District of Písek, in the South Bohemia Region of the Czech Republic...
, deluged the castle downtown and made Zvíkov easily accessible. Major restorations between 1970-1980 concentrated on the palace.
Description
Ottokar II of Bohemia
Ottokar II , called The Iron and Golden King, was the King of Bohemia from 1253 until 1278. He was the Duke of Austria , Styria , Carinthia and Carniola also....
, a palace named Královský (King's Own) was built and this ground plan has been preserved until today. The new palace was built in lavish style and its parts were connected by monumental arcade
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
.
After 1473, Bohuslav of Svamberk commissioned mural decorations in the Chapel of St. Wenceslaus, which belongs to the masterpieces of early-gothic Czech architecture. The walls display the patron saints of Bohemia, the Virgin Mary the Protector, the Suffering Christ and the Martyrdom of St. Erasmus. The fortification was extended with Hláska, large 32 meters high tower (bergfrit) on the south side. The castle has two gates.
The castle has its own ghost, Zvíkov's imp, and had inspired several painters and writers like the theatrical comedy Zvíkovský rarášek by Ladislav Stroupežnický
Ladislav Stroupežnický
Ladislav Stroupežnický was a renowned Czech author, playwright, and dramatist, best known for the frequently staged play Naši furianti.-Life:...
. Today, Zvíkov (opened from Spring to Autumn) is hiking attraction and serves as a place of art exhibitions and stage plays.
External links
- Zvíkovské Podhradí Website
- Pruvodce Website
- Zamky-Hrady Website