Špilberk Castle, Castle and fortress in Brno, Czech Republic
Špilberk is a castle and fortress on a hill above Brno, with white plastered walls rising from a dark brick and stone base. The central section has a tall red roof and three recessed Gothic windows with pointed arches, while a white tower with a red roof and flag stands to the right.
Špilberk was founded in the mid-13th century by Moravian Margrave Přemysl Otakar II; the oldest written records date from 1277–1279. In the second half of the 17th century it was rebuilt into the largest Baroque fortress in Moravia, and in 1645 it withstood a three-month Swedish siege. From 1783 Joseph II turned its casemates into a prison for the monarchy's worst offenders.
The castle houses a city museum presenting exhibitions about local history and regional art collections. Visitors can experience concerts and cultural events held regularly within its historic spaces.
The best time to visit is during daylight hours when you can fully enjoy the views and architectural details. It is advisable to wear sturdy shoes, as the paths around the site and stairs within the towers are demanding.
In 1784 Joseph II had the upper floor of the northern casemates rebuilt as the Josefínský trakt, and 29 cells of heavy beams and planks were set up in the lower casemates for prisoners sentenced to life, chained in place until Leopold II abolished that in 1790.
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