Krakovec Castle ruins

Krakovec Castle is located in a village with the same name in the Křivoklátsko protected landscape area. It owes its name to a legend that says that on its site there used to be a fortress of the mythical Prince Krok, the father of Princess Libuše, who had Prague founded.

The castle history dates back to 1381, when it was founded by Jíra of Roztoky, the Purgrave of Křivoklát, one of the favourites of Wenceslaus IV (1361 – 1419). At that time, it was a magnificent, luxurious building, which competed with royal castles in terms of comfort. Since then, it has undergone extensive reconstructions, first in the 16^th century, when it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style, and then a century later. After a fire in 1783, it was finally abandoned and gradually turned into a ruin.

Krakovec was originally built as a magnificent two-storey building. The best equipped were the representative rooms of the first floor with a large hall, a fireplace and a bay chapel with a presbytery. The original rib vault and the wooden, hand-hewn bridge, which were completed in 2005, are also remarkable. It’s unique for its medieval appearance and for the fact that it’s made without a single metal joint.

The castle is famous as the last place of residence of the master Jan Hus before he went to the German Konstanz, and where he was burnt to death. In his memory, a statue of him was erected at the castle in 2011, and the annual Huss Pilgrimage is also held here.

Currently, the entire area is open during the tourist season for free tours, religious services and a wide range of cultural events such as poetry symposiums, theatre performances, concerts and the famous Hus pilgrimage.