Střekov Castle, Medieval castle ruins on a cliff in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
Střekov Castle is a ruined castle on a steep trachyte rock rising 100 metres above the Elbe. Its cylindrical bergfried with a shallow conical roof stands highest, built of rough tan and grey masonry; to its right a lower wall links to a larger ruined block with rectangular window openings and jagged tops, and another lower stone structure joins the main ruins.
Construction was ordered in 1316 to protect trade routes on the Elbe and collect tolls from river traffic. Over the centuries, the fortress suffered damage and partial destruction, leaving only these remains of its original structure.
Ludwig Richter painted "Überfahrt am Schreckenstein", now in Dresden's Galerie Neue Meister, and Caspar David Friedrich and Ernst Gustav Doerell also depicted the ruin. Richard Wagner visited in 1842 and drew inspiration for Tannhäuser. A restaurant has operated in the former farmyard since 1830.
Visitors reach the castle from Ústí nad Labem via marked hiking trails that vary depending on which route is chosen. Wear sturdy shoes and allow time to explore, as some areas are uneven and lack modern safety features.
The castle appears in Ludwig Richter's painting "Überfahrt am Schreckenstein", held at the Galerie Neue Meister in Dresden. Richard Wagner visited in 1842 and drew inspiration for his opera Tannhäuser. In 1999 the ruins served as Count Dracula's castle in the film Die Hard Dracula.
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