Veliš

The ruin of Velis castle is located on expressive hill of the same name near to the village of Podhradí, in 3 kms distance in southwest direction from the town of Jičín. Veliš castle was built on a hill, which his destructed by basaltic quarry now.

Veliš King´s castle was established at the end of 13th or at the beginning of 14th century, probably by King Wenceslas II. First notice comes of 1316, when King Jan Luxembourg let it ceased it to Puta of Frýdland. Quadrangle, probably inhabited tower, became a castle dominanta. In 1327, the mortgage was handed over to Wartenberg Parentage, hey obtained it, as hereditary property, a couple of years later. The castle was in their possession till 1434. However, later, the castle was conquested in the course of stay Hasek of Waldstein. In 1452, the castle was bought by George of Podebrady, and consequently, since 1487, the castle was in possession of Nicholas older Trcka of Lipa.

During his stay her, the castle got obviously expressive late Gothic reconstruction. In 1500, Basel Compact Articles were placed here. After White Hill struggle, the castle was handed over, as confiscated goods, to Albrecht of Wallenstein. He had the intention to establish a monastery here. Within 30-years war, Swedish troops besieged unsuccessfully the castle. Nevertheless, The Emperor let the caste destructed in 1658 (owing to its indisputable military qualitues). The ruins were, except taking into pieces as suitable building material (especially in 18th century), caught by deep quarries, and these acts cut this hill till 1879.

So, from the castle were preserved insignificant rests of bastions walls, tower and west palace, being fix connected with basaltic base, indistinctly signed access ways and terrace-shapped arranged south top. Anyway, most readible part of the castle – there are rests of arillery fortification.

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Photo: Google Earth