Zvíkov castle
Do you love nature, are you interested in history and architecture? Visit Zvíkov Castle, a castle that rises above the confluence of the Vltava and Otava rivers near Písek. Zvíkov Castle was never conquered, had an excellent fortification system and resisted both Hussites and conquerors during the Thirty Years' War. It also served as a guard for gold panning on the Otava River. The castle was entered through a gate with a drawbridge or a portal in the wall, and the castle was therefore passable.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Zvíkov castle
See the castle without a guide
When touring the castle, you will follow the designated routes. It will take you through the Royal Palace and the Tuber Tower, on the ground floor you can see archaeological finds. The reconstructed halls will offer you, for example, Renaissance paintings, a model of a castle or period furniture. The chapel of St. Wenceslas with a carved altar, which represents early Czech Gothic. Seasonal exhibitions are located in the local gallery. From the tower you can look at the surrounding countryside. Mikoláš Aleš, who often drew here, also liked this prospect.
The castle stands on a stronghold from the Bronze Age
A bronze fortified settlement stood on the site of Zvíkov Castle today. The place for the construction of the castle was chosen by the Přemyslids - the rock with almost vertical walls and narrow access was ideal for the foundation of the castle. That is why they decided to build an important and representative royal castle here. The foundations were laid under Přemysl Otakar I, and his followers continued to build the castle. Under Wenceslas I, the castle was already the representative seat of kings. Charles IV. he also enjoyed staying here and storing coronation jewels here until Karlštejn was built. In the 16th century, the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, from the 17th century the castle fell into disrepair. In the 19th century, the castle was reconstructed by the Schwarzenbergs, later the castle became the property of the state.
How did the castle get the name Zvíkov?
Are you interested in the unusual name of the castle? According to legend, the name dates back to the time of the Czech ancestor. The ancestor of Bohemia allegedly had a beautiful daughter, and she fell in love with a young man who did not like his father. The ancestor of Bohemia expelled them both. They went along the Vltava to a place where they liked it very much, and they settled there. In time, the Czech ancestor got lost on the hunt and met two children in the forest. They led him to his parents and the Czech ancestor knew his daughter in their mother. Let them build a wooden log house and named the place Zvykov after they got used to it. Zvíkov is said to have been created by distorting the original name.
Author: Helena Syslová