Castle square

On Hradní náměstí, on the site of the original 11th-century stronghold, there use to stand a country castle. It is likely that it was built by Prince Břetislav I as part of the band of defences against the Hungarians. The remnants of its foundations and cellars are still hidden underground. The first written record of the castle to have been preserved dates from 1338. Almost all the rulers of the time were guests at the castle. In 1428–1431 it was also home to Prokop Holý, when he led a campaign into Slovakia with the Hussites. The last king of Bohemia to visit the castle, at the turn of 1510–1511, together with his entire family and court, was Vladislav II. In 1643 the country castle burned down by the Swedes. Its later owner Lev Vilém of Kounice then had the ruins of the castle removed completely.