Castles of Bohemia and Moravia

For many of us, visiting a Czech or Moravian castle is one of our favourite ways to spend our free time. A trip to a nice place, a tour of the interiors and architecture, interpretation by a guide…

However, if we know something more about the fate of the castle and its inhabitants that is not commonly known, an ordinary visit becomes something much more interesting and sometimes unforgettable. The book by experienced author and teacher Jan Kvirenc offers readers just such a view „ behind the curtain“ of some of our castles.

It introduces them to a wide range of personalities and also to the stories that took place in the castle palaces – and on which often depended not only the fate of the local population, but also of the Czech Kingdom and the whole of Europe. There are extensive quotations from diverse sources, a broader historical context, numerous photographs, original illustrations and above all a lot of interesting and sometimes unexpected information that will delight and enrich every history lover. Stone monuments of the past invite you to visit!

Which castle was popularly used by Czech rulers as „ state prison“? Where did the lord of the castle live who used to take a live lioness into his bedroom? In which castle chapel did a Catholic bishop ordain Hussite priests under threat of death? Where did the spectacular spectacle of the Turkish raid on the manor take place? From what castle did one of the first noble women to publicly declare her fraternal unity come? Where did Emperor Rudolf take his illegitimate son to protect the family's reputation? How did the dead king rule? Where did the first balloons fly, treasure hunting and silk making take place? How many funerals did King Wenceslas IV have?