Bezděz Castle, Gothic castle ruins in Bezděz, Czech Republic.
Bezděz is a castle ruin with Gothic architecture situated at 604 meters above sea level, featuring a grand tower, royal palace, and burgrave's palace. The three main buildings display Gothic styling characteristic of their construction period.
King Ottokar II of Bohemia built the fortress in 1264 to protect trade routes and control the border region. Later it served as a prison for young King Wenceslas II before losing its strategic importance.
The poet Karel Hynek Mácha visited often and drew inspiration from the castle for works like "An Evening at Bezděz", giving the place a lasting role in Czech literary tradition.
The site is open from May through September with reduced weekend hours in April and October. Guided tours lasting around 50 minutes take visitors through the main buildings and are available during operating hours.
The small Chapel of Archangel Michael ranks among the earliest Gothic chapels in the Czech Republic and preserves its original 13th-century design intact. Its interior and details offer a rare glimpse into early Gothic religious architecture.
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