Castle of Jindřichův Hradec, Castle in Jindřichův Hradec, Czech Republic

The Castle of Jindřichův Hradec is a three-and-a-half-hectare complex at the confluence of the Nežárka and Hamerský potok, third largest in the country after Prague Castle and Český Krumlov. Its front ranges face the water: a four-storey pale building with a hipped red roof and a long light blue-grey two-storey wing with white window surrounds. Behind rise white walls, a small square tower and a dark stone cylindrical tower.

The castle was probably founded by King Přemysl Otakar I in the first half of the 13th century and passed to the Lords of Hradec, who held it until 1604. Joachim of Neuhaus and his son Adam II had it rebuilt as a Renaissance château by Antonio Ericer and Baldassare Maggi, with the Rondell finished in 1596. A fire in 1773 destroyed much of it, and only essential repairs followed until a major reconstruction in the first quarter of the 20th century.

The castle's name comes from the Lords of Hradec, whose branch used the Czech attribute Jindřichův from 1410 after Heinrich I of Neuhaus. In the entrance hall, wall paintings from 1338 show scenes from the life of Saint George and the coats of arms of South Bohemian families whose members joined John of Luxembourg's Prussian campaign.

The complex covers three and a half hectares at the confluence of the Nežárka and the Hamerský potok, so allow time to cross between the front ranges and the inner courtyards. The interiors are shown on guided tours; the grounds and exteriors can be walked on foot. The site is state-owned and managed by the National Heritage Institute.

The 1338 wall paintings in the entrance hall beside the chapel show scenes from the life of Saint George and a gallery of 19 noblemen who took part in the Teutonic Order's crusades to Prussia and Lithuania between 1322 and 1337. Ulrich III of Neuhaus, who commissioned them, is depicted among the figures.