Hvězda: A Medieval Castle Site in Czechia
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.8
- 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 page7 sections
History
Foundation and Identification
Hvězda is the site of an unidentified medieval castle in Czechia, near the village of Hvězda, now part of Blíževedly in the Česká Lípa District. Probably founded during the first half of the thirteenth century, the castle was built before 1257 and remained inhabited until the 1320s. Its builder and subsequent owners are unknown.
Because of its date and location, the castle is often identified with Frýdlant, a stronghold associated with the Ronov family, a medieval noble lineage in Bohemia. Frýdlant first appears in 1257 in the byname used by its lords. The names Hrada and Loupežný zámek were applied to Hvězda only long after the castle had disappeared, around 1320.
Remains
Sandstone Rock Castle
The castle occupied a sandstone rock divided into two parts. Its surviving traces show how the buildings were anchored directly to the bedrock, while fortification remains occupied the northeastern side.
Central Tower-Like Building
A probably residential, tower-like building stood in the central part of the rock. It had a hexagonal ground plan and was constructed of stone. Grooves cut into the sandstone, approximately 40 to 80 centimetres wide and up to 60 centimetres deep, held or anchored the structure’s foundations.
Southwest Building
A building of at least one storey adjoined the rock on its southwest side. Its ground floor was made of stone, as shown by a foundation groove cut into the bedrock. This channel is approximately 1.5 metres wide.
Northeast Fortifications
Remains of fortification walls survive on the northeastern side of the rock, completing the evidence for a fortified medieval settlement alongside the central and southwest buildings.
