Kostelec nad Černými lesy, Renaissance castle in Kostelec nad Černými lesy, Czech Republic.
Kostelec nad Černými lesy castle is a Renaissance fortress in Central Bohemia originally built as a Gothic stronghold. The building features a defensive ditch, a barbican, and several historical chambers with knights' halls.
Emperor Ferdinand I transformed the Gothic fortress into a hunting lodge in the 16th century before a fire in 1549 led to its reconstruction in Renaissance style. This redesign shaped the building's appearance that remains today.
The Lesárium exhibition inside the castle presents information about woodland life and forest ecosystems through interactive displays. Visitors can learn how forests function and what role trees play in the natural world.
The castle opens for visitors from June through September, Friday to Sunday, with guided tours lasting around one hour. Check opening times in advance and be prepared for uneven terrain while exploring the premises.
The town was long known by its German name Schwart Kosteletz until it changed to the Czech version in 1920. That earlier name referred to the dark spruce forests that shaped the area for centuries.
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