Marianska Tynice - October 2006

Rabi - October 2006

(Klatovy Region) The most extensive ruin of a castle in Bohemia that is likely to have been founded by Bohuslav of Velhartice at the beginning of the 14th century. Jan Zizka lost his second eye there in 1421 during the Hussite siege. Under the rule of Put Svihovsky post-1479, the builder Benedict Rejt took part in reconstructions and the castle became the best-fortified residence in Central Europe. Later on, the castle began to dilapidated and was completely plundered in the Thirty Years War.

Velhartice - October 2006

(Klatovy Region) Early in the 14th, Busek of Velhartice, a chamberlain of the prince who went on to be Emperor Karl IV, created this Goyhic castle, which has a double palace layout. A unique massive stone bridge connects a partly preserved castle called 'Elysian Mansion' with a tower known as Punta (tub).

Svihov - October 2006

(Klatovy Region)A very well-kept Gothic lowland castle with an cleverly thought-out fortifications and water moats. It replaced an older fort from the first half of the 14th century. Puta Svihovsky from Ryzmberk and his two sons accomplished a complete late-Gothic redevelopment and a great architect, Benedict Rejt, designed the flawless outer defences, among other things.

Strekov - September 2006

(Usti nad Labem Region) Pesik of Veitmile was appointed to construct the castle by King John of Luxembourg, who also bestowed it on him as fiefdom in 1319. Its last owners - the Lobkowicz family - had the castle markedly rebuilt and extended from 1564. During the Thirty Years War, the castle was plundered by the Swedes and lay abound from the 17th century. Many artists were inspired by it, for instance R.Wagner composed his opera Tannhauser there in 1842. Martin Lobkowicz is the present owner.