Letovice Castle: A Historic Fortress and Chateau in the Czech Republic

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.3

Popularity: Medium

Google Maps: View on Google Maps

Official Website: www.zamekletovice.cz

Country: Czechia

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Letovice Castle stands above the village of Letovice in the Czech Republic and was originally established by the medieval Bohemian civilization. Its earliest form was a wooden fortress built in the early 13th century, owned by a nobleman named Bořit. The castle was positioned strategically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the important Trstenická trail, a route linking the historical lands of Bohemia and Moravia.

By the mid-13th century, the fortress was likely rebuilt in stone by Heřman of Letovice, marking its transition into a more permanent defensive stronghold. Written records from the period between 1250 and 1274 refer to the castle, with later mentions in 1316 and 1360 documenting its ownership by the Lords of Letovice and Ronov. During the late 14th and early 15th centuries, Letovice Castle gained cultural significance when a Czech translation of Marco Polo’s travelogue, known as “Milión,” was completed within its walls.

In 1424, the castle experienced a violent episode when Hussite forces besieged, captured, and destroyed it amid the religious conflicts shaking the region. Following the turmoil, ownership became divided between the Lords of Lomnice and the Lords of Boskovice from 1446 until 1505. The Boskovice family took full possession afterward, overseeing a late Gothic reconstruction during the second half of the 15th century that reinforced the castle’s defenses and living quarters.

The mid-16th century brought new ownership and substantial alterations when Count Kryštof of Hardek and Kladsko bought the property in 1544. He undertook interior renovations and fortified the castle with a double ring of moats and an enclosed outer bailey, improving its defensive system. The Hardek family maintained a close connection to the castle, with their tombstones preserved in the nearby Church of St. Prokop, underscoring their local influence.

Through marriage, the castle passed in 1614 to Count Jindřich Václav Thurn. During the widespread conflicts of the Thirty Years’ War, Swedish forces captured Letovice Castle in 1645. After the death of Count Thurn, the castle was sold in 1654 to Jiří Štěpán Bruntálský of Vrbno, who repaired damage caused by the war. The following years saw several changes in ownership until 1668, when Archbishop Jiří Szelepczenyi of Ostrihom acquired Letovice and converted its medieval core into an early Baroque chateau with a distinctive irregular triangular layout.

In the 18th century, the castle changed hands again, coming into the possession of Count Karel Ludvík of Roggendorf in 1711 and then the Blümegen family in 1724. That same year, a devastating fire destroyed both the castle and the adjacent town. Reconstruction efforts introduced Baroque architecture, completing the main palace and refurbishing interiors, as well as building new farm and administrative structures by 1730.

The castle entered the holdings of the Kálnoky family in 1820, who shaped its 19th-century character through Empire and Neo-Gothic style renovations. They added stables and riding halls for both summer and winter use, along with alterations to the original castle tower. Gustav Kálnoky, an important figure who served as Austro-Hungarian foreign minister in the 1880s, designed a large Romantic-style English park on the castle’s hillside, enhancing the estate’s landscape. The Kálnoky family retained the castle until 1945.

Following World War II, Letovice Castle became municipal property and was repurposed to house a dormitory and classrooms. After restitution, it was returned to Count Alexander Kálnoky, who collaborated with the local town to stabilize the structure and restore the park. In 2004, ownership passed to Bohumil Vavříček, who invested significantly in renovation. By early 2022, the castle was placed on the market due to the owner’s health concerns.

Remains

Letovice Castle occupies a rugged rocky promontory offering commanding views over the village and strategically controlling the historic trail that once linked Bohemia and Moravia. Its layout reflects several construction phases, evolving from a medieval fortress into a Baroque chateau with an unusual triangular shape, a plan introduced during the late 17th-century transformation led by Archbishop Jiří Szelepczenyi.

One of the castle’s notable defensive elements consists of two concentric moats, which were added in the mid-16th century under the Hardek family. These moats, along with an outer bailey, formed a fortified enclosure that enhanced the castle’s ability to withstand attacks. The moats and their surrounding earthworks are key features demonstrating Late Renaissance military architecture adapted for the site’s natural terrain.

The early 18th century saw the completion of the main palace following a destructive fire in 1724. This Baroque building became the central residential and administrative space within the complex. In addition, farm and supporting structures were constructed around the same period, indicating the castle’s role not only as a noble residence but as an economic center managing the surrounding estate.

During the 19th century, the estate underwent significant stylistic changes. The introduction of Empire and Neo-Gothic architectural elements included new stables as well as riding halls designed for both summer and winter use. Furthermore, the original medieval castle tower was modified during these renovations, reflecting changing aesthetic tastes and functional needs.

Surrounding the castle is a large park crafted in the Romantic English landscape style by Gustav Kálnoky in the late 1800s. The park occupies the slope descending from the castle, creating a designed natural setting characterized by features typical of picturesque garden design from that period.

The castle’s connection to historical noble families is also preserved in nearby religious buildings, notably through the stone tombstones of the Hardek family housed in the Church of St. Prokop. These tombstones serve as tangible reminders of the castle’s links to local aristocracy and their lasting imprint on regional heritage.

Today, photographic and visual documentation highlight a well-maintained ensemble of exterior facades, impressive gate structures, inner courtyards, and functional ancillary buildings. These elements collectively illustrate the layered history of Letovice Castle, showcasing architectural styles that range from its medieval origins through Baroque reconstruction to 19th-century adaptations, preserving the complex as a valuable cultural monument.