Rozmberk Castle was founded in the first half of the 13th century by a representative of the noble Vitkovic family, Vok Prcic, who later became Vok I Rozmberk. Soon the new castle became the administrative center of his lands. In 1259, Vok founded the Cistercian monastery of Višši Brod nearby, giving it part of his possessions. In 1302, Vok's descendants inherited Cesky Krumlov (after the dynasty of Pans from Krumlov was interrupted), making it their main place of residence.

In 1420, Oldřich II Rožmberk was forced to mortgage Volsi Castle to the Austrians in order to find funds to raise an army against the Hussites. Later, the Rozmberks bought the castle, but in 1465 they mortgaged it again. This time the Lobkowitz family, but, as in the first case, having settled the financial problems, they managed to pay off the deposit. In 1522, the Upper Castle (the original fortress) was almost completely destroyed by fire. Only the main tower survived.

In 1600, the last head of the Rožmberk family, Petr Vok, transferred the estate and castle to his nephew Jan Zrinski, who owned it until 1612. Then it was inherited by the Rožmberk relatives, the Švamberki. After the defeat of the uprising of the Czech estate (1618-20), the Schwamberk possessions were confiscated by the Habsburg Empire. Emperor Ferdinand II granted Rožmberk to the main architect of his victory, Field Marshal Charles Bonaventure de Buqua, the military leader who commanded the imperial army in the decisive battle on White Mountain, after which the defeated Czech Protestants practically ceased resistance.

Although the main residence of the new owners was Nove Grade, they transformed the Gothic Rožmberk into a presentable Renaissance residence. In 1840-1857, the castle was rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style that became fashionable in the 19th century. During the reconstruction, a gallery of the Crusaders and new staircases appeared in the castle. The interiors were filled with various antique furniture. At the end of perestroika, the Lower Castle began to be used only for representative purposes. Soon one of the first public museums in the Czech Republic was opened there. New living quarters and an English park were placed approximately in the place where the Upper Castle was previously located.

The theme of the museum is divided into two parts. One is dedicated to the founders of the castle Rožmberk, the other to the subsequent owners, the Counts of Bucquois. Visitors to the castle are reminded of the time of Rožmberk by the decoration of the facades, made in the Renaissance style, and the beautiful picturesque decorations of the interiors. Buquoy's heritage is represented by interiors designed in the romantic neo-Gothic style. This includes an entrance hall with a richly decorated wooden staircase, a gallery of the Crusaders, with portraits and coats of arms of knights presented in it, and an armory with a collection of weapons and armor from various periods of history. The samples of antique furniture housed there were specially made for the museum by experienced carpenters.

The castle's collection of paintings includes works by famous Czech artists Karel Skreta, Jan Kupecký and Norbert Grund, as well as portraits of historical figures. Among them, special attention is drawn to the portrait of the daughter of the famous historical figure from the Rožmberk family, Oldřich II, Perchta Rožmberk, who is associated with the mysterious “White Lady” (the ghost of a girl appearing in the Rožmberk family castles).

Guests of the castle can also get acquainted with the everyday environment and aristocratic life of the Counts of Buqua. Explore their private apartments, dining room, study, salon and billiard room. 200 steps lead to the highest point of the castle, to the top of the English Tower. From its height, magnificent romantic landscapes open up, the Vltava River and the wooded hills stretching along its banks.

OFFICIAL SITE

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Like many Czech castles, Rožmberk boasts an intricate and romantic history, as well as many dark legends and downright funny tales surrounding it. Apparently, he earned a large number of secrets and tales thanks to the constant change of his owners. Rožmberk was sold, then rebuilt, sold off for debts and bought back. Something lies behind this, the Czech people decided and began to pass another myth from mouth to mouth.

If you delve into the history of the castle, and it dates back to the 13th century, you can recognize the original owner - this is the noble noble family of Rozhembergs. Despite the fact that these possessions passed from hand to hand, the Rozhembergs constantly tried (and not without success) to return the castle back, and therefore it is considered the family estate of this particular family.

What to see

The interiors of Rožmberk also make you plunge into the world of secrets and legends. There are no lavishly decorated halls or richly furnished boudoirs here, but there are plenty of romantic passages, nooks and corridors. The atmosphere of this castle will captivate adventurous adventure fans once and for all. Run through its dimly lit corridors, decipher the half-erased paintings on the walls, look behind the cast-iron bars onto the street, gaze into the alluring pantry filled with all sorts of junk, littered with Medieval utensils... there are plenty of things to do here.

By the way, you can feel the authentic mood even when approaching the castle. Rožmberk is picturesquely located on the top of a mountain surrounded on all sides by the Šumava forest. Below it is the deep gray-blue Vltava and colorful houses nestled here and there.

Rožmberk does not have lavishly decorated halls or richly furnished boudoirs, but there are plenty of romantic passages, nooks and corridors.

Well, to finally understand that Rozmberk is the most mysterious castle in the Czech Republic, here’s a legend. In one of the spacious, echoing halls of the castle you can find a portrait of a beautiful lady with the look of the Mona Lisa. This is Perchta, daughter of Aldrich of Rozhemberg, also known as the White Lady. Despite the fact that she was born in a completely different place - the well-known Cesky Krumlov, today her ghost hangs around all the castles of the Rozhemberg family. And, as usual, men are to blame for everything. Being a young beautiful girl, Perchta was married against her will to Jan Lichtenstein, not the most sophisticated nobleman from Moravia. For about 20 years of married life, he ruined the life of his wife, oppressed and humiliated her. In his defense, it is worth saying that just before his death he asked for forgiveness, but did not receive it. Therefore, Jan acted simply, cursing her: “So that you have no peace even in the coffin.” They say the curse has come true. Only three years have passed since Perkhta’s death before all the castles of the Rozhemberg family received their family ghost.

No one can calculate the schedule of Perchta’s tours to castles, but the last time she was seen in Rožmberk was in 1996. She wandered around like the Canterville Ghost, jingling a bunch of keys.

Coordinates

Address: Statni hrad Rozmberk, Rozmberk nad Vltavou. Phone: +420 380 749-838.

How to get there: trains depart from Prague Central Station to Rožmberk, the journey takes about 4 hours; You can also get there by bus from Florenc station, the journey takes 3 hours.

Opening hours: April and October Sat-Sun 9:00-16:15, May and September every day except Mon 9:00-16:15, June 9:00-17:15 (except Mon), July and August 9: 00-17:45 (except Mon).

• Address: 382 72 Dolni Dvořiště, Czech Republic
• Telephone: +420 380 749 838
• Website: hrad-rozmberk.cz
• Working hours: Tue-Sat from 9:00 to 16:30, Sun-Mon from 9:00 to 15:30

Rosenberg Castle (or Rozmberk) is located in the Southern Region, which is home to a huge variety of fortresses. This region is full of mysterious legends, but the most interesting and popular among them relates specifically to this castle, which thanks to it has acquired mystical fame.

A little history

Rozmberk Castle, as the Czechs themselves call it, was built at the beginning of the 13th century by a representative of the famous Vitkovic family.

The owners of the castle did not change very often, but it was mortgaged twice, since the owner (at that time he was Aldrich II) needed money to provide for his army.

In the 17th century, Castle Rosenberg was confiscated by Count Buquoy, commander of the imperial army. His family owned it until 1945, when the fortress was nationalized.

Castle legends

The most famous legend about the castle is connected precisely with the name of the above-mentioned Aldrich II. According to legend, the baron's family was cursed by a monk who once served him: Rosenberg conquered the land on which his family lived. Baron Brecht's beautiful daughter was given in marriage, but the marriage did not work out, and as a result the girl began to live in the castle with her father. Dying, the baron asked his daughter for forgiveness, but she did not want to show mercy, and her own father cursed her on his deathbed. After her own death, Brecht began to walk around the castle as a ghost. People still talk about her appearing in the corridors from time to time. Because of the white gloves on her hands, she was nicknamed the White Lady.

What is interesting about the castle now?

This beautiful Renaissance-style building is attractive to tourists not only because of its mystical secret, although it also plays a role.

It is worth noting that the castle is interesting as an architectural structure. It is very beautiful and beautifully furnished and decorated inside. You can walk through all the halls of the castle within the framework.

In the courtyard of Castle Rosenberg there is a small torture chamber. It looks like a set from a horror movie. What is noteworthy is that tourists are allowed not only to look, but also to touch, “try on” some of the torture instruments. Undoubtedly, it will be a vivid impression.

In one of the halls of the Rosenberg Castle in the Czech Republic hangs a portrait of the White Lady. The signature on the painting consists of mysterious hieroglyphs. There is a belief that says that whoever deciphers them will find the key to untold riches. As you can see, the mysterious castle is indeed shrouded in many legends.

How to get to the castle?

The fortress is located near the town of Rožmberk nad Vltavou. The most convenient way to get there is by bus or car.

Buses run from . You will need to take a bus to, where you can find a bus that goes directly to Rožmberk. In total, the journey will take about 3.5 hours.

If you go by car, then from Prague you need to take the E49 highway, then turn onto road 122. This will take you to Krumlov, from where it is only 25 km to Rožmberk.

The white stone fortress still stands majestically among the dense forests on the Sumava Mountains. This is one of the oldest, most beautiful castles in South Bohemia. Its complex includes the Upper and Lower castles.

Rosenberg Castle (German: Rosenberg, Czech: Rožmberk) (in Czech it sounds like the city of Rožmberk) is located near the town of Rožmberk nad Vltavou. It was built in the 13th century by Vitek of Prcice. Rosenberg – “Pink Mountain” (Rosenberg an der Moldau). Its owners were representatives of the Rosenberg family (in Czech - Rozmberkov).

The white stone fortress still stands majestically among the dense forests on the Sumava Mountains. This is one of the oldest, most beautiful castles in South Bohemia. Its complex includes the Upper and Lower castles. (The Lower Castle was built in the 30s of the 14th century).

The upper castle was destroyed by fire in 1522, all that remained was the Jacobinka defensive tower. In 1556, reconstruction of both buildings was carried out. The facades of the Lower Castle were decorated in the Renaissance style.

Rosenberg is a castle where the mysterious White Lady lives.

Rožmberk was rebuilt and restored several more times. During the period 1840-1857. The fortress was rebuilt again in the neo-Gothic style. The last owner of the castle was Count Buqua. But in 1945 Rožmberk was nationalized. Now there is a museum of Bohemian history.

From the original appearance of the castle, only the round tower, built in the 13th-16th centuries, has been preserved. and a banquet hall decorated with 16th-century Italian frescoes. Today, in Rožmberk Castle, tourists can see exhibitions of furniture and porcelain, weapons and Czech glass. This collection was assembled by a nobleman Georg Jan Heinrich Buqua. He also contributed to another famous exhibition of the castle - the torture museum. This museum is of constant interest to the public. Tourists here are told about the ghost of the White Lady - Perchta Rozmberkska, who appears in the castle at night.

The bronze elephant became a real cult object of Rožmberk Castle. It is believed that peace and harmony will come to the family of everyone who strokes his bronze trunk.

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Castles and fortresses of the Czech Republic

Castles of South Bohemia

Gothic medieval castle Rožmberk nad Vltavou

In the very south of the Czech Republic, near the Austrian border, there is one of the most mysterious Czech castles - Rožmberk nad Vltavou. Surrounded by dense forests, this Gothic castle blends so organically into the surrounding landscape that it seems to be a natural continuation of the spurs of the Šumava Mountains that dominate it. There are many legends associated with this Gothic Czech castle, the most famous of which I present here. Well, if you want to know the rest and admire the perfect Gothic appearance of Rožmberk Castle - come yourself, you definitely won’t be disappointed!

STORY

The first mention of this Czech castle, which at that time bore the German name Rosenberg ("rose mountain"), dates back to 1250, during the reign of the Czech king Wenceslas I. Apparently, this fortress served to control an important trade route from the Czech Republic to the rich Upper Danube lands Austria. Subsequently, this Czech castle changed its owners several times; in the 16th century, the Gothic style of the castle was partially replaced by the Renaissance style, until in 1619, during the Thirty Years' War, it was captured by the troops of the Austrian emperor under the command of General Karl Bunaventure Buka. The general liked Rozmberk Castle so much that he begged it from the emperor as a reward for the successful conduct of hostilities.

This Czech castle remained in the ownership of the Bukoys until nationalization in 1945. The most noticeable mark on the history of the castle was left by Jiri Jan Jindřich Bukoy (1814-1883), a famous collector. Under him, the castle was reconstructed in the neo-Gothic style that we see today. He also collected impressive collections of works of art and turned the Czech castle of Rožmberk into a museum.

LEGENDS AND TRADES

White lady

Perhaps the most famous ghost of Czech castles is the White Lady (or the Lady in White, as she is also called). This ghost lives in the Czech castle of Rožmberk nad Vltavou. Once upon a time, in time immemorial, Baron Rožmberk lived in this Czech castle. He was a cunning and greedy man, who did not shy away from any means in order to replenish his already considerable fortune.

Baron Rozmberk's main assistant was a monk who compiled all the documents for his master and thereby helped him seize more and more lands and valuables. But one day the baron decided to seize another tasty morsel by unjust means - a plot of land. But the monk’s relatives lived on this land, and he refused to draw up documents. For this, Baron Rozmberk executed the monk. Dying, he cursed the baron himself and all his descendants.

And the baron had his only daughter, Perkhta, completely obedient to his will, whom he tried to marry off as profitably as possible. Finally, a suitable party was found in the person of Count Liechtenstein. They played a wedding, the newlyweds went to the groom's palace. But the greedy baron refused to give the promised dowry. Without hesitation, the young husband sent his wife back to her father. And so the unfortunate Perkhta lived her whole life in her father’s castle Rožmberk, cursing her ill-fated fate. And already in old age, many years later, the husband who had rejected her came to her to ask for forgiveness, but Perkhta refused him. And then Count Liechtenstein once again cursed the Rožmberk family.

Apparently, these curses had some power, because Perchta remained to live in this Czech castle, now in the form of the ghost of the White Lady, named after the color of her dress. You can see her quite often. They say that the sleeves of the White Lady's dress have the ability to change color - if the sleeves are white, then the one who saw the ghost will have a wedding. Red sleeves mean there will be a fire, but if they are black, big trouble awaits. There is also a portrait of the White Lady in the Czech castle of Rožmberk nad Vltavou. And on the portrait there is an inscription made using a mysterious font with the comment: “Read what is written here and you will become the owner of fabulous wealth.” Many cryptographers have tried to unravel the mystery of the inscription, but so far to no avail.

Bronze elephant

WHAT TO SEE

After admiring the unforgettable grandeur of the white stone walls of this Czech castle, having a good walk around, don’t forget about the interesting things that are inside. In addition to the White Lady and the bronze elephant, within the walls of the Czech castle of Rozmberk nad Vltavou there are wonderful collections of porcelain, weapons, paintings and other art objects, collected by one of the last owners of the castle, Jiri Jan Jindřich Bukoy, in the 19th century. In the courtyard of the Rožmberk nad Vltavou castle there is a Museum of Torture, one of the most original in the Czech Republic - anyone can try themselves both as an executioner and as a victim.

For ghost hunters and simply lovers of the exotic, there is a very interesting excursion conducted by the Ghost Hunters Club in the Czech Rožmberk Castle. For a symbolic 120 CZK you will be given a real night excursion to the ancestral castle of Perchta. Even if the ghost does not make itself felt, the excursion will not leave you indifferent - it is a whole show, the main participants of which are the guides themselves, dressed in costumes of heroes of popular Czech legends. During a fascinating journey into the past, you can visit Perkhta’s bedroom, explore the castle’s state rooms, basements, torture room and witness heartbreaking family dramas played out by actors. Unfortunately, this excursion is only available in the summer on Saturdays and Sundays and three times a night (excursions start at 21.00, 22.00, 23.00). By the way, in addition to Rozmberk nad Vltavou, the White Lady also appears in Cesky Krumlov, Jindrichov Hradec, Telče and Trebon.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Getting there by car from České Budejovice is easy - just go onto the highway E55(3) in the direction of Plana, Veleshin ( Plana, Velesin), after 37 kilometers turn right onto the road 163 in the direction of Vyssi Brod, after 7 kilometers another right turn is now onto the road 160 . Another 4 kilometers and you are in Rožmberk nad Vltavou. You park in one of the many parking lots and walk 500 meters following the signs to Rožmberk nad Vltavou Castle.

A bus service between České Budejovice and Rožmberk nad Vltavou is organized with a transfer in the city where another famous Czech castle is located - České Krumlov. If you choose this method of transportation, I recommend seeing this Czech castle. Here is the bus schedule, you need to get off at the stop" Rožmberk nad Vltavou, name"("square") and then follow the signs to the Rožmberk nad Vltavou castle:

The ticket price is 64 CZK, just in case here is the schedule in the opposite direction: