Houska Castle, Gothic and Renaissance castle in Blatce, Czech Republic
Houska Castle is a château in Houska village in Mělník District, Czech Republic. Thick stone walls surround the structure on a wooded hill, with narrow windows and Renaissance elements added to the Gothic core.
King Ottokar II of Bohemia ordered construction between 1253 and 1278 to manage royal estates in northern Bohemia. Later renovations added Renaissance architecture to the original Gothic design.
The chapel holds medieval wall paintings showing biblical scenes and saints. The green chamber displays Gothic decoration with patterns and figures from the building's early period.
Visits take place from April through October, with guided tours providing access to interior rooms. Parking is available near the entrance at the edge of the forest.
No external defenses or natural water source were provided, so an underground cistern collecting rainwater was the only supply. This unusual design sets the structure apart from other fortresses of the period.
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