Červená Hora Castle: A Bohemian Territorial Stronghold in Czechia
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 3.9
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Czechia
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Bohemia
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page6 sections
History
Červená Hora Castle in Czechia was a lowland castle built between 1253 and 1278 during the reign of Ottokar II Přemysl, King of Bohemia, as part of the Bohemian kingdom’s system of territorial defense. It was constructed together with the neighboring castles of Výzmburk and Riesenburg, probably by Peter of Skalitz and, possibly, his sons Tas and Sezema.
Foundation and Early Lords
Sezema of Červená Hora, Peter of Skalitz’s son, was the first known owner of the castle and its associated estate. Later holders included Nikolaus Piskl of Schweidnitz and Mathias Polc. In 1372, the castle was acquired by Johann von Jenstein, Archbishop of Prague, together with his brothers Wenzel and Paul.
Červená Hora later passed to the lords of Dubá at Náchod. When their estates were divided in 1406, ownership went to Hynek the Younger of Dubá. The castle’s original strategic importance had declined after Silesia became part of Bohemia in the fourteenth century.
Hussite War and Destruction
Hynek the Younger supported King Sigismund of Bohemia and, from 1420, served as a captain in the Silesian army during campaigns against the Hussites. The Hussites were a reform movement originating in Bohemia and linked to the teachings of Jan Hus. Their wars brought prolonged conflict to Bohemia and neighboring regions in the early fifteenth century. Hynek was captured while defending Jaroměř in May 1421 and was later released.
The Hussites besieged Červená Hora Castle in 1427 and burned it on 8 June. Since its earlier importance had already diminished, the castle was never rebuilt after the attack.
Later Estate History
The ruined castle and the village of Červená Hora later became part of the Riesenburg estate. In 1601, Siegmund Smiřický of Smiřice acquired that estate for his eleven-year-old ward, Albrecht Václav Smiřický, and incorporated it into the Náchod estate.
Remains
River-Bend Ruins
Červená Hora Castle was a lowland stronghold built in relatively level terrain. Its remains lie about one kilometer northwest of the municipality of Červená Hora in eastern Bohemia, on the left bank of the Úpa River. The ruins occupy a river bend within Grandmother Valley, and only slight remains of the castle survive.
Nearby sites
