Krupka Castle: A Gothic Fortress Protecting Bohemian Tin Mines
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.5
- Popularity
- Medium
- Country
- Czechia
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Bohemia
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page12 sections
History
Krupka Castle is a Gothic castle ruin above Krupka in Czechia, probably founded around the beginning of the fourteenth century by Wenceslaus II, King of Bohemia and Poland from 1278 to 1305. The first documented reference dates from 1330, when Těma of Koldice received the already existing castle from John of Luxembourg, King of Bohemia from 1310 to 1346. Known also as Rosenberg, the strategically placed fortress protected Krupka’s tin mines, the town, and the old trade route to Saxony.
The Koldice lordship and the Hussite Wars
The name Rosenberg was associated with roses that formerly grew on the castle slopes or in its garden. The Koldice family held the castle, with brief interruptions, until 1504. During the Hussite Wars, fifteenth-century religious and political conflicts in Bohemia arising from the reform movement associated with Jan Hus, the Koldices supported the Catholic side.
The castle faced repeated attacks during the conflict. It apparently resisted an assault during the fighting near Ústí in 1426, may have been captured during a Hussite expedition in 1429, and was definitely taken by the Hussite commander Jakoubek of Vřesovice in 1433. Peace negotiations took place at Krupka Castle in 1436 and 1437.
Changes of ownership and royal administration
The last Koldice owner was Těma V, who became heavily indebted and used the castle to compensate his creditors. Among the later owners were Arnošt of Šumburk from 1487 to 1494, Jindřich of Starschedl from 1490, Jindřich of Šlejnice from 1504, Albrecht II of Kolowrat until his death in 1510, Bernard of Valdštejn, Jáchym of Maltzan from 1523 to 1528, Zdeněk Lev of Rožmitál from 1530 to 1535, his son Adam from 1535 to 1537, and Václav of Vartenberk from 1537.
Václav of Vartenberk joined the Estates’ Revolt of 1546 to 1547, an uprising by Bohemian estates against the Habsburg monarchy. In August 1547, King Ferdinand I sentenced him to forfeit part of his property. Krupka consequently became a royal domain, which the king soon pledged to Volf of Vřesovice for 10,000 thalers. The pledge document dates from 1551. After Volf’s death, his children briefly held the domain, and the royal chamber redeemed it in 1577 before administering it through governors.
Decline and later rebuilding
In 1615, Adam of Sternberg acquired the castle from King Matthias in his capacity as the highest burgrave, a senior royal official in the Kingdom of Bohemia. The castle remained uninhabited from 1621 and was probably used by various armies during the Thirty Years’ War, the European conflict fought mainly from 1618 to 1648 amid religious, dynastic, and political struggles. The complex suffered renewed destruction during the war, after which extensive parts were abandoned and fell into decay.
Between 1695 and 1697, the Sternbergs built an administrative mining office in the ruins, using stone and other material from the damaged castle. Known as Horský zámek, or the Mountain Castle, the building stood in the castle courtyard. Count Franz Clary-Aldringen acquired the castle in 1710 and partly rebuilt it, while large sections of the complex continued to deteriorate. Major renovation took place between 1999 and 2003. Krupka Castle has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1964.
Remains
Krupka Castle occupies the summit of a rocky spur above Krupka at approximately 350 metres above sea level. The Horský Stream flows around its right side. The partially preserved ruin retains elements of an approximately rectangular royal castle, later defensive works, inner-castle structures, and the former mining office that now occupies the courtyard.
Fortifications and defensive works
Original castle and late Gothic enlargement
The original royal castle had perimeter buildings arranged around an approximately rectangular plan. Its dominant structure was a flat-ceilinged donjon, a principal fortified tower used for defense and residence, on the northern side. A long palace probably adjoined it along the western side, with a surviving fragment still incorporated into the ruins.
Late Gothic rebuilding between 1471 and 1482 enlarged and strengthened the complex. An outer defensive wall, a secondary enclosure outside the main wall that created an additional protected zone, enclosed the castle, while vulnerable areas received further reinforcement.
Gates and approach
The first and second gates were protected by massive semicircular bastions, projecting defensive structures. A late Gothic gate formed part of a double-gate system, and a surviving access road runs above the two gates. Together, these features organized the approach through the strengthened outer defenses.
Southern shield wall and towers
The southern shield wall, a particularly strong wall designed to protect the most vulnerable side of a fortification, is 6.5 metres thick. Its centre contains a gun chamber, while a semicircular bastion protects it from the west. A massive circular tower was built above the shield wall. Its surviving portion probably served as a gun position controlling the approach road to Krupka.
The eastern side retains the ruins of a tower-like structure adapted as a viewing platform. The inner castle also contains the remains of a rondel, a circular or semicircular fortification.
Courtyard and commemorative features
Former mining office
The administrative mining office built by the Sternbergs between 1695 and 1697 stands in the castle courtyard. Called Horský zámek, or the Mountain Castle, it was constructed from material taken from the castle ruins. The building is now used as the Růžový Hrádek hotel and restaurant.
Southern viewing platform
A viewing platform on the southern side of the castle grounds overlooks Krupka and its historic churches. It also contains a monument commemorating Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s visits to Krupka in 1810 and 1813.
Nearby sites
