Vimperk Castle

Vimperk castle was founded in the mid-thirteenth century most likely by Přemysl king Otakar II. The castle was supposed to protect the land border and especially the important trade route from Passau to Bohemia. In the beginning of the 15th century the castle complex consisted of  two towers, several palaces and it was already set within the developed defensive walls. 

The effectiveness of gunnery techniques enhanced in the 15th century. As a reaction to the unstable political situation, the town and the castle were merged into a single fortified unit which was easier to defence. To protect a weak point in the defence, which was  the south-east side of the castle, an outpost, mighty round tower Haselburg was built.

The possession passed to the powerful and well-known House of Rosenberg in mid-16th century. After that the strongly fortified castle began to be rebuilt into the Renaissance chateau. It was again restored in the 17th century.

From 1630 the dominion was held by the Eggenberg family and later on, in 1719, was bought by the Schwarzenberg family, which in the 18th century partially rebuilt the castle in the Baroque style.

On 20th July 1857 the Upper Castle was struck by lightning which caused a vast fire that led to the severe damages to the buildings. However, in those times the palaces were not used as a representative aristocratic seat anymore. First of all, it had served as a forest administration headquarters. In the era of the so-called First Republic (1918–1938), the castle was rented as barracks to the Czechoslovak Army. After the World War II, the property passed under the so-called “Lex Schwarzenberg” law to the Czechoslovakian state. 

The Schwarzenberg administrative centre was transformed into South Bohemian forest management. Apart from various offices, the castle housed also a town museum from 1961. During the Communist era (1945-1989), the castle maintenance began to be neglected.

In 2010 the castle was called the National Cultural Heritage and the restoration started. Today it is open to the public.

Address

Zámek, Vimperk, Czech Republic

Details

Founded: c. 1250
Category: Castles and fortifications in Czech Republic