Historical Origins

The Late Gothic, fortress-like ruin of Střekov Castle was built in 1316 and initiated by John of Luxembourg (1296–1346), king of Bohemia and father of Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. It was built by his royal architect, Pešík of Veitmile, and originally guarded an important trade and duty-collecting route to Germany. At the turn of the 16th century, the family Glacs of Althof acquired the Castle, repaired the fortifications, and built two houses next to the smaller tower and eastern wall. The Castle continued to change hands until 1563, when it was inherited by Wenceslas Lobkowicz and in 1599 by Adam Havel Lobkowicz. In 1615, it eventually passed to Polyxena Lobkowicz as part of the Roudnice branch of the family. The Castle suffered severe damage during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) under successive Imperial, Saxon, and Swedish occupations because of its strategic importance. During the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) the Castle was again besieged and captured by Austrian and Prussian armies, resulting in further destruction. Stabilization repairs were also carried out.

Significant Architectural Features

The castle area is divided into two parts, which are connected by an arched bridge that spans a natural moat. Still remaining from the earliest period of construction are an irregular, oblong section of the Castle, its connecting round tower, and a smaller tower that guarded the castle entrance. Semi-round bastions fortify the structure. A single castle with two connected palaces was an unusual architectural style for the period in which it was built. The structure’s defensive towers [DB12] are also a rare feature. Inspired by French examples, they are perhaps the first illustration of this type of defensive architecture in Bohemia—making it one of the best-preserved Medieval castles in the Czech lands.

Recent History

In the 19th century, a renewed interest in old ruins set in Romantic, natural settings motivated poets, painters, and musicians to visit Střekov. Goethe declared the views from the property to be the most beautiful in Central Europe. Richard Wagner’s sojourn in the castle is also said to have inspired him to write his opera Tannhäuser.

Like other Lobkowicz properties, Střekov Castle was confiscated by the Nazi regime and later by the Communist government. The property was restituted to the family in the early 1990s. Today, the castle houses a historical exhibition that includes replicas of guns and knights’ armor, drawings, and pictures of the property, as well as a scale wooden model of the castle complex. Periodic temporary exhibits, festivals, and children’s programs are also organized throughout the year.