Castle Bečov Nad Teplou

Castle-arrangement is quite simple. The castle is consisted of two building units, from upper castle, and from low, new chateau. Upper castle is the oldest building complex. It is based on trapezion ground-plan. Four-storey prismatic palace is situated on its highest place. Cylindric tower guarded the castle entrance at the lower corner. Between both towers, there is to be found a tower with chapel, having hall space, where the entrance gate to upper castle adjoined its east wall. Estate buildings were placed around a periphery of inside courtyard. The castle was partially reconstructed, in romantical spirit in 19th century, but its Middle Age face was preserved. Anyway, there are preserved here several late Gothic  stone-mason sections. On southwest, the castle nucleus is added with a building of stables in Empire style. Nevertheless, at the end of 1990´ the castle undergone great essential reconstruction.

Just since 13th century, there was established on this place, at crossroads of merchant ways from Žatec to Cheb, and from Pilsen to the north, on a platform below a rock, a small castle with custom station.Anyway, the upper castle, situated on steep sloping headland, was constructed even in 14th century. The brothers - Borsov of Riesenburg - constructed this costly seat, corresponding to their power and wealth. Since 1407, the castle changed often their proprietors, and finally, Hussite troops damaged it later. Anyway, its greatest fame came later, when 14th and 15th centuries were over. In 1495, the castle became a possession of Pluh of Rabstein Parentage. They had their seat in Slavkov but Bečov Castle was an important stronghold for them, and they could protect their dominion in such way. This important aristocracy parentage became rich with mining of silver and tin. So, the town as well as Bečov Castle undergone vast finishing and reconstruction. In 1547, Bečov was in possession of Caspar Pluh of Rabstein. He was in the first line of rebellious estates aganst King Ferdinand I.

When the revolt was suppressed, this aristocrat loss all his dignities as well as his properties and was sentenced to death. It is true that he saved his life by his escape to Meissen, but he definitively lost his dominion. However, the finish of boom of tin mining came with 30-years´war, the dominion served mostly till this time period as a mortgage for financial loans, effected to the Emperor. In 1624, the dominion was sold to Gerhard Questenberg, Emperor´s Secretary. However, the castle was very damaged during the war, and later, it served as administration warehouse. Questenberg Parentage died out in 1752, and so, Bečov dominion received Kounitz Parentage. Nevertheless, Mary Therese gave up all crown´s rights within the same year, and so, Bečov became hereditary dominion.

Beaufort-Sponton Parentage became last aristocarcy owners of the castle, within time period 1813-1945. Within 1980-1985, there was found here, below a floor, famous St.Maur Reliquary, hidden here in the course of the 2nd World War. This reliquary was manufactured in the first quarter of 13th century fro Benedictine Abbey in Florennes. It is most important Romanesque jewellery monument of Czech Republic.

At present, it belongs into exposition of neighbouring castle.

Opening time table:

April and October:                                                      9,00 - 16,00 h

May, June and September: daily, except Mondays:   9,00 - 16,00 h

July and August: daily, except Mondays:                   9,00 - 17,00 h

Text: Denisa Arvajová

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Foto: Wikimedia Commons, Jiří Paclík, Ondřej Žváček, PD-old