Bouzov Castle, Medieval castle in Moravia, Czech Republic
Bouzov is a castle in Moravia whose present form comes from a Romantic Neo-Gothic rebuilding in 1895–1910 by architect Georg von Hauberrisser. Its eight-storey watchtower rises 58 metres, and two long bridges ending in a short drawbridge span the deep dry moat. The buildings are grouped around the tower in a horseshoe.
Bouzov was first recorded in 1317 under Búz of Bouzov; the Lords of Kunštát held it from 1396 and fortified it with two bastions. In 1558 a fire damaged the castle, and the south Renaissance wing was added under Frederick of Oppersdorf, completed by 1620. From 1696 the Teutonic Order owned it, and between 1895 and 1910 Archduke Eugen had it rebuilt by Georg von Hauberrisser.
The castle's name comes from the Bůz of Bludovec family, its first recorded owners from 1317 to 1339. Tradition links George of Poděbrady, later King of Bohemia, to Bouzov, and his original title was Jiří of Kunštát and Bouzov. The castle has appeared in films such as Arabela and Fantaghirò.
The interior is shown on guided tours; the route includes stairs, including the climb up the 58-metre watchtower, so allow time and wear sturdy shoes. The two long bridges over the dry moat end at a short drawbridge, and the grounds are on a hill above the village.
The castle's present form was created in 1895–1910 by architect Georg von Hauberrisser, who modelled it on South German castles; the round bergfrit tower rises 61 metres. Interiors were fitted with central heating and running water, and medieval artefacts linked to the Teutonic Order were brought in.
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