Hvížďalka, tvrz v Česku
Hvížďalka is a small fortified house in the village of Kalenice south of Horažďovice, built with thick stone walls and surrounded by a defensive ditch. The building features a rectangular shape with a simple sloped roof, one main level, and symmetrical windows, with a medieval tower from around 1530 forming the core of the structure.
Hvížďalka was built around 1530 based on a medieval tower core and was destroyed and burned during the Renaissance before being repaired and reused in later periods. In the 19th century, the structure was expanded and modernized in the classical style while preserving the original thick walls, eventually becoming protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
The name Hvížďalka reflects its role as a fortified refuge in the medieval landscape. Visitors can see how the building sits within the village community, marking the boundary between rural farming life and the need for defense that once shaped this region.
The structure sits about 75 meters from the village square in a quiet park area and can be viewed from the outside, though the interior is not open to visitors. The best time to visit is during daylight hours to clearly see the stone walls, defensive ditch, and classical facade details.
The basement contains a vaulted stone chamber with a floor sloped toward a drain, designed to protect against fire and attack. This well-preserved underground space demonstrates advanced medieval construction techniques and was likely accessed through a hidden corridor beneath the entrance ramp.
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