Kotnov, Medieval castle ruins in Tábor, Czech Republic.
Kotnov is a medieval castle ruin whose main features are a round tower and the adjacent Bechyně Gate, both standing out on Tábor's skyline. These remains are from a 13th-century fortification complex that once protected the city.
The site received its first written mention in 1370, when it featured an angular tower and four round towers with an elaborate system of moats and walls. After a fire in 1532, sections were converted to a brewery, marking a shift from military to economic use.
The Bechyně Gate houses an exhibition about Tábor's past as a fortress and royal city, with Gothic architectural details visible inside. The space tells the story of the town's medieval importance through what remains of its fortifications.
Visitors can climb the round tower to reach viewing platforms that offer wide views across Tábor and the Lužnice river valley. The site is accessible on foot with paths leading directly to the tower's base and the gate.
Brewing cellars were carved into the rock beneath the tower between 1612 and 1613, revealing how seriously beer production was pursued on this site. These underground chambers show how the former fortress found a second life in a different trade.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
