Znojmo Castle
Encyclopedia
Znojmo Castle is a castle situated in the city of Znojmo
, a historic city in Moravia
, Czech Republic
.
Bretislaus I, Duke of Bohemia, and completed around 1080. The structure was intended to replace an old castle that was located across the Granice Valley, as part of an attempt at strengthening the defenses along the river Dyje against Austrian
attack. From the new castle the river valley and surrounding area could be observed. However, in 1140, the wooden castle was besieged and destroyed.
Towards the end of the 12th Century the castle was reconstructed, this time in stone, and included a deep moat. The entrance to the castle was guarded by a octagonal tower called the Robber's Tower, which collapsed due to neglect at the end of the 19th Century.
The Royal City of Znojmo was founded by King Ottokar I of Bohemia
and the Znojmo castle became the city's stronghold, connected to the city walls and containing a strong garrison of soldiers.
The importance of Znojmo Castle diminished near the end of the 17th century, after the Turkish threat was averted by Prince Eugene of Savoy
. The Roman Emperor Joseph I
redeemed the castle in 1710.
The front end of the castle was sold to local citizens and became the town brewery, producing Hostan beer. The rear of the castle came into the hands of the Lords of Deblin who built a Baroque chateau on the space, which still stands.
The only remains of the castle used by the Přemysl dukes is the Romanesque
rotunda
, the interior of which is covered with 11th-century frescoes depicting biblical scenes and illustrating the life of Přemysl.
Znojmo
Znojmo is a city in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic, near the border with Lower Austria, connected to Vienna by railway and road . The royal city of Znojmo was founded shortly before 1226 by King Ottokar I on the plains in front of Znojmo Castle...
, a historic city in Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
History
The Znojmo Castle was initially a wooden structure built by the PřemyslidPremyslid dynasty
The Přemyslids , were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia and Moravia , and partly also in Hungary, Silesia, Austria and Poland.-Legendary rulers:...
Bretislaus I, Duke of Bohemia, and completed around 1080. The structure was intended to replace an old castle that was located across the Granice Valley, as part of an attempt at strengthening the defenses along the river Dyje against Austrian
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
attack. From the new castle the river valley and surrounding area could be observed. However, in 1140, the wooden castle was besieged and destroyed.
Towards the end of the 12th Century the castle was reconstructed, this time in stone, and included a deep moat. The entrance to the castle was guarded by a octagonal tower called the Robber's Tower, which collapsed due to neglect at the end of the 19th Century.
The Royal City of Znojmo was founded by King Ottokar I of Bohemia
Ottokar I of Bohemia
-External links:...
and the Znojmo castle became the city's stronghold, connected to the city walls and containing a strong garrison of soldiers.
The importance of Znojmo Castle diminished near the end of the 17th century, after the Turkish threat was averted by Prince Eugene of Savoy
Prince Eugene of Savoy
Prince Eugene of Savoy , was one of the most successful military commanders in modern European history, rising to the highest offices of state at the Imperial court in Vienna. Born in Paris to aristocratic Italian parents, Eugene grew up around the French court of King Louis XIV...
. The Roman Emperor Joseph I
Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph I , Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia, King of Hungary, King of the Romans was the elder son of Emperor Leopold I and his third wife, Eleonor Magdalene of Neuburg....
redeemed the castle in 1710.
The front end of the castle was sold to local citizens and became the town brewery, producing Hostan beer. The rear of the castle came into the hands of the Lords of Deblin who built a Baroque chateau on the space, which still stands.
The only remains of the castle used by the Přemysl dukes is the Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
rotunda
Rotunda (architecture)
A rotunda is any building with a circular ground plan, sometimes covered by a dome. It can also refer to a round room within a building . The Pantheon in Rome is a famous rotunda. A Band Rotunda is a circular bandstand, usually with a dome...
, the interior of which is covered with 11th-century frescoes depicting biblical scenes and illustrating the life of Přemysl.