Janův hrad, Romantic ruins in Podivín, Czech Republic
Janův hrad is a castle ruin with four corner towers arranged around a central courtyard, where stone galleries and metal bridges divide the space. Each tower sits on a different floor plan and rises to varying heights, creating an intricate and irregular structure.
Construction took place from 1801 to 1808 under Prince Alois I. and was finished by his brother John Joseph I., using stones recycled from the nearby Great Moravian fortress of Pohansko. This reuse of ancient materials was common practice then and connected past history with new purpose.
The name references its founder, and the halls still show how nobility hunted and celebrated here. The layout reveals how men and women used separate spaces for their different activities in this place.
The site is surrounded by the Old Dyje River on three sides, so access is available only from one direction. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven ground, as stairs and galleries can be narrow and rough in places.
Unlike other artificial ruins of that era, this structure was designed as a livable hunting lodge, not merely as romantic decoration. Its location within the river created a defensive position that echoed genuine medieval fortresses.
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