Pecka Castle

The first notice of castle existence is of 1322 when it was in ownership of Budivoj of Pecka. The original purpose of this castle was the aim to protect the boundary and golden mines  near to community of Stupná. The gold was mined there during the whole Middle Age Period. The castle had - at that time - two defensive towers joined with fortification, and one sitting-palace, situated in the southern part of courtyard, so that it was possible to enter into the castle through draw-bridge only.

Since the end of 15th century there was enlarged  the sitting part of the castle and since middle of 16th century there was made the total Reneissance reconstruction of the castle. The form of interiors was finished at the beginning of 17th century by Krystof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice. So, from the defensive castle it became marvelous Noble seat with four palaces, arosen around rectangular courtyard. Mr. Albrecht Wallenstein has got the castle in 1621,after the death of Krystof Harant. However, he  presented it in one year to Carthusian Order of Valdice. This Order used the castle of Pecka as their summer seat. The castle falled to decay consequently and its finish was made by big fire in 1830. The Office permitted – after his accident - to take the walling into pieces, lasting up to 1921, when ruin has finally got the community of Pecka. The inhabitants of Pecka deserved well of partial reconstruction of the castle. Since 1968 the casle is serving as a touristic place of interest.

Text: Ondřej Barták

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Prazak, Marzper, č.2