Křivoklát Castle
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Krivoklat_castle_01.jpg/256px-Krivoklat_castle_01.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Location_of_Czech_village_Krivoklat.png)
Křivoklát Castle (Czech: hrad Křivoklát) is a castle in Křivoklát in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is protected as a national cultural monument.
History
Křivoklát was founded in the 12th century, belonging to the kings of Bohemia. During the reign of Otakar II of Bohemia a large, monumental royal castle was built, later rebuilt by King Wenceslaus IV and later enlarged by King Vladislaus II.
The castle was damaged by fire several times. It was turned into a harsh prison and the building slowly deteriorated. During the 19th century, the Fürstenberg family became the owners of the castle and had it reconstructed after a fire in 1826. The Fürstenberg family owned the castle until 1929.
Today the castle serves as a museum, tourist destination and place for theatrical exhibitions. Collections of hunting weapons, Gothic paintings and books are stored there.
Gallery
- Křivoklát on an engraving by Wenceslaus Hollar from the 17th century
- Křivoklát on a watercolor by Antonín Mánes from 1835
- Krivoklat around 1958 when its main tower was reconstructed
- Altar in the Chapel of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary from the 1490s
- Lower courtyard
- Upper courtyard
- View from the east
Notable prisoners
- Burkhard von Berlichingen
- Edward Kelley
- Hieronymus Makowsky
External links
- Official website
- Křivoklát on zamky-hrady.cz (in Czech)
- Křivoklát on the official Prague tourist portal
50°02′16″N 13°52′21″E / 50.03778°N 13.87250°E / 50.03778; 13.87250