Krakovec Castle

Krakovec Castle was founded in 1381 by burgrave of Křivoklát, Jíra of Roztoky. As the head of the royal ironworks and a protégé of King Wenceslas IV, he built a comfortable residence in an advanced architectural style. The remains of the castle still prove that Jíra was a rich and powerful man. The castle he built was a spectacular and luxurious facility, on the same level of art value and comfort as royal castles.

The palace of the Krakovec castle was built as a three wing, two floor building. Some building adjustments were made in the early 16th century (late gothic windows), and in the 17th century (renaissance gables, unpreserved). The horseshoe-shaped tower in the front side of the castle core is made of rubble-stones.

No major reconstruction has ever been done at Krakovec. In 1783, wooden parts of buildings were destroyed by fire, never to be repaired.

In 1855, a large part of the chapel collapsed; in 1883, the eastern wing was torn down by dynamite.

Currently, the best preserved part of the palace is the southern wing in its entire height. Of the western wing, the outer wall has been preserved, and parts of the lateral walls; all that’s left of the eastern wing is the outer wall under the courtyard level.

References:

• Hrad Krakovec

Address

Krakovec, Krakovec, Czech Republic

Details

Founded: 1381
Category: Castles and fortifications in Czech Republic