Zv铆kov Castle was founded in the early 13th century during the reign of King P艡emysl Otakar I. It is located in the Southern Bohemia region, at the convergence of the Vlatva and Otova rivers. This valuable strategic location ensured that the castle would survive years of turmoil. For example, in 1429, it overcame a four-month siege during the Hussite civil wars. Then, in 1618, the castle was assaulted again during the Thirty Years War. The Holy Roman Empire attacked with 4,000 soldiers, but Zv铆kov鈥檚 garrison of only 140 men was able to defend the castle.
Despite this impressive victory, the Empire eventually conquered, looted, and vandalized the castle in 1622. For the next two centuries, the castle was largely disregarded and mainly used for farming. The structures deteriorated and were further damaged by fire in 1751. It was eventually restored by the owners of the land in the 1840s. Thanks to their efforts, Zv铆kov Castle is now one of the oldest and most well-preserved castles in the Czech Republic. Visitors today can enjoy the unique Gothic architecture and the 16th-century murals in the St. Wenceslas Chapel.
Others are drawn to Zv铆kov Castle by the bizarre legends that surround it. It is said to be inhabited by a mischievous supernatural entity called a 搁补谤谩拧别办, which translates to devil or imp. According to local folklore, the Zv铆kovsk媒 搁补谤谩拧别办 has been known to poke or trip visitors and cause animals to act strangely. This creature even inspired Ladislav 厂迟谤辞耻辫别啪苍颈肠办媒, a 19th-century playwright, to create a comedic opera named after it. The 搁补谤谩拧别办 did not seem to appreciate its fame, however, since it also allegedly caused technical difficulties for several movie-makers who filmed in the castle. Zv铆kov is also rumored to house a ghost known as The White Lady, who sometimes alarms visitors by wandering through the castle. In addition, there are stories of hellhounds guarding a secret passage in the catacombs, as well as a legend that anyone who spends a night at the Hlizova tower will die within a year.
Written by Maya Bouchebl
Sources:
Bedford, Neal, Jane Rawson, and Matt Warren. Czech & Slovak Republics. Oakland: Lonely Planet Publications, 2004.
David, Petr, Vladim铆r Soukup, and Lubom铆r 膶ech. Wonders of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. Prague : Kniz虒ni虂 klub, 2004.
Havlova虂, Ma虂ja. South Bohemia: Castles, Mansions, Historical Towns. C虒eske虂 Bude虒jovice: Unios CB, 2001.
Zv铆kov. 鈥淭he History of Zv铆kov Castle.鈥 Accessed June 20, 2024.