Zavlekov Fortress: A Medieval Stronghold in the Czech Republic

Visitor Information

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Country: Czechia

Civilization: Medieval European, Modern

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

The fortress of Zavlekov is located in the municipality of Zavlekov in the present-day Czech Republic. It was originally established in the 14th century by a nobleman from the Dluhomil family, specifically Dluhomil of Velhartice, whose ownership is first recorded in 1334 and again in 1377. This medieval stronghold served primarily as a manorial residence, reflecting the feudal structure of the time.

Ownership of the fortress remained with Dluhomil’s descendants, passing to his son Bušek and then briefly managed by Bušek’s widow Eliška, who sold her dowry share by 1404. Subsequently, the property became linked to other noble houses, including Jan of Herštejn and Velhartice, and later the Švihovský family. The mid-15th century brought legal conflict over inheritance, which was officially settled by King George of Poděrady in 1465, affirming Vilém of Herštejn’s rights to the estate.

By the early 1500s, the original stronghold ceased to function as a residence and was described as abandoned by 1544. Around this time, Jan Dlouhoveský constructed a new fortress within the village itself, but this later structure ultimately vanished and was replaced by an agricultural granary. In the 19th century, the medieval ruin underwent a romantic-style reconstruction led by Count Karl Taaffe, aimed at enhancing its picturesque qualities. Since 1964, the site has been recognized as a protected cultural monument, preserving its historical legacy.

Remains

The fortress of Zavlekov occupies a rocky hill known as Hora, rising to 583 meters within the Blatná Upland. Its position on a narrow, rocky spur provided natural defensive advantages. Access was controlled by a slender rock-formed neck which was further defended by a surrounding moat, only interrupted at this northern approach.

The core layout of the fortress follows a trapezoidal ground plan and was built using rubble stone masonry, a method involving rough, uncut stones set in mortar. Surviving walls reach up to the height of the former first floor. Notably, cellars are preserved beneath these walls; these are simple underground rooms without vaulted ceilings. A Gothic sandstone portal, originally framing the entrance at the first-floor level, remains recognizable, offering insight into the architectural style of its era.

During the 19th-century rebuilding, a cylindrical bastion was added to the fortress’s northwest corner. This feature reflects the romantic interpretation of medieval architecture typical for that period, blending with the older stonework. Today, parts of the masonry visible incorporate both the medieval structures and the later romantic enhancements. The surrounding moat, which once encircled the fortress to provide defense, can still be traced in the landscape. The site remains open and reachable from a nearby hiking trail connecting the towns of Plánice and Sušice.