Helfenburk
Encyclopedia
Helfenburk is a castle
ruin 5.5 km from town Bavorov
in Czech Republic
. It is situated on the stone hill Malošín at 683 m under the sea level. Between municipalities Koječín and Štětín there is paved road that leads to the castle.
. It was a reward for their services, that they have had accompanied king on his journey to the coronation
in Rome
. In year 1381 they gave to the Bavorov rights of a free town
.
After the death of Jan in 1389 and his brother Oldiřch, the owner of castle become Jans son Jindřich III. of Rožmberk. He was one of opponents of king Václav IV. King was trying to harm him as much as he can, allegedly even with help of Jan Žižka
.
After his death owner of castle become his son Oldřich II. of Rožemberk. He was very young and his tutor was Čeněk from Vartemberk. He later converted to Catholicism
and raised him in this religion. After the defeat in Tábor
, he ordered to arrest Hussite
priests in all of his lands, and put them in prison in his castles. It is proved that on the Helfenburk two Hussite priests died.
After his death ruler of the castle was his son Jindřich IV. of Rožemberk, and after him Jan II. of Rožemberk. Both were constantly having problems with money and debts, which were made by their father, thanks to his war costs. Castle was given as guarantee to the Přeškov from Čestice. In the contract was included free access to the castles from former owners. After his death the castle was paid and returned to the Rožemberk family.
From 1468 to 1472 was rough around the castle. There were neighborly disputes between Rožemberk and towns Písek
, Sušice
and Vodňany
. Castle did not face to big losses, but these disputes hits neighboring villages.
After the death Jan of Rožemberk and after death of his son Jindrich V. the owner of castle become the Vok II. of Rožemberk. Cause of dues he sold the castle to the brothers Václav and Zikmund Vlčka of Čenov.
Václav Vlček was on begging just a regular captain, he had fought in Hungary
and Poland
, and in service of king get many military skills and become a field captain. He was known as exceptional leader and specialist for the defense. He strengthened the defense of the castle, and built three circular walls with placers for shooters in years 1473-1483. He was very strong and unwanted for neighbors Rožemberk and that's why they borrowed money to the Count Jindrich Preuschenkovi Hardegg to buy the castle, which he did in 1489. After his death the castle get back into ownership of Rožmberk family. In 1499 his son sold them the castle back. In 1523 there is a dispute about the succession, because Petar IV. of Rožmberka, as well as his brothers had no children. Excitement of this castle is that in the years 1515 to 1518 was castellan so scrooge man that he fired all the staff and was all alone in the castle. His name was Želízko from Tourov.
In 1551 Vilém of Rožmberka annexed to the castle part of the surrounding properties and increase the castle itself. Helfenburk was one of the poorest castles, at least according Rožemberk inventory. There was not much furniture and crockery, but that number was compensated by equipment of the castle, whether it was tools or weapons. Also there were not enough servants. After moving to Kratochvíle
castle becomes completely abandonment.
In 1592 after the death of Vilém of Rožmberka his younger brother and successor, Petr Vok sold the entire castle to the town Bavorov. After Bíla hořa castle was confiscated, although the city was trying to get it back, but failed. Already at that time the castle was denoted as abandon. Castle was used more than 200 years. Later it was owned by other families, such as Eggenberg
, later Schwarzenberg
until the year 1922 and then it became property of the state..
. Castle has circular floor plan. The entrance to the castle led through a bridge
over a deep ditch and intermittent rocks and it is surrounded by walls. Entrance through the first door once led over the floating bridge.
Specificity of Helfenburk is that there are three gates, arranged one behind the other. Left, on the rock is a huge tower
. It is 18m high, round and has diameter about 10 m. From it, it is possible to defend not only the main entrance, but also to see a large part of the castle and all three doors. Here was also the apartment of the tower guardian. Entry went through a wooden bridge from the building or by the stairs. At the present time it is serving as a lookout
. Now it is reconstructed and the roof is putting on.
From the tower you can see the circular walls, which were built by Vlček of Čenov. Another door closes with wedge. The whole bottom part of the second courtyard
is enclosed by buildings and has an irregular shape. The third door leads to the inner palace
. Front yard of the castle was full of commercial wooden buildings. Buildings made from bricks are the youngest in the castle and were made from 15 st. Poole
beside on left side was used as a reservoir of rainwater or water that was brought from below of the castle. Depth was around 10m, but it was gradually buried.
Inside palace of the castle had its buildings, now they are the ruins in front of the castle, on which people walk. The palace had a base in the basement and two floors (according to some theories, and third, which was wooden). The palace consisted of two centers, it is essentially because there were two palaces that were gradually merged. In the corners of the thumbs still we can see high-quality works in stone but the rest of the stone decoration was used in 16 century as a building material and was taken away. North side of the castle, one that can not be seen from a large tower, is strongend by the building of smaller round tower. It is located on a site where three buildings are connecting, it is 15m high and now serves as a tourist observation.
According to some stories lived on Helfenburku anchorite
.
According to further legend under the great tower is hidden treasure
. It can be found only on Big Friday. A farmer who lived near Koječin tried to find it. When he began to dig he saw a devil
with a mustache, and he was frighten and run. And so he lost treasure.
Another legend is about the piper. He was found of small black kitten. When he was home, kitten was also at home. But immediately when he went to work, kitten disappeared in an unknown direction. Once in a bad mood he was going back home. Close to Helfenburk on his way stood man dressed in a black and asked him whether he wanted to make some money and play to his friends. Piper then follow him to the castle and played. But he was afraid to look, to whom he is playing and who actually pays. After a while he was encouraged and then he saw that he was playing to the cats. And the man who brought him to the castle, he was a little black kitten. Piper was convinced that he had seen the devil himself.
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
ruin 5.5 km from town Bavorov
Bavorov
Bavorov is a town in Strakonice District, South Bohemian Region, Czech Republic. It has a population of 1,440 .- External links :...
in Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. It is situated on the stone hill Malošín at 683 m under the sea level. Between municipalities Koječín and Štětín there is paved road that leads to the castle.
History
In 1355 town was built by members of Rožemberk family for defense of near town Bavorov. There were four brothers – Peter, Jošt, Oldřich and Jan of Rožemberk. Permission to build was given by king Charles IVCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles IV , born Wenceslaus , was the second king of Bohemia from the House of Luxembourg, and the first king of Bohemia to also become Holy Roman Emperor....
. It was a reward for their services, that they have had accompanied king on his journey to the coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. In year 1381 they gave to the Bavorov rights of a free town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
.
After the death of Jan in 1389 and his brother Oldiřch, the owner of castle become Jans son Jindřich III. of Rožmberk. He was one of opponents of king Václav IV. King was trying to harm him as much as he can, allegedly even with help of Jan Žižka
Jan Žižka
Jan Žižka z Trocnova a Kalicha , Czech general and Hussite leader, follower of Jan Hus, was born at small village Trocnov in Bohemia, into a gentried family. He was nicknamed "One-eyed Žižka"...
.
After his death owner of castle become his son Oldřich II. of Rožemberk. He was very young and his tutor was Čeněk from Vartemberk. He later converted to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
and raised him in this religion. After the defeat in Tábor
Tábor
Tábor is a city of the Czech Republic, in the South Bohemian Region. It is named after Mount Tabor, which is believed by many to be the place of the Transfiguration of Christ; however, the name became popular and nowadays translates to "camp" or "encampment" in the Czech language.The town was...
, he ordered to arrest Hussite
Hussite
The Hussites were a Christian movement following the teachings of Czech reformer Jan Hus , who became one of the forerunners of the Protestant Reformation...
priests in all of his lands, and put them in prison in his castles. It is proved that on the Helfenburk two Hussite priests died.
After his death ruler of the castle was his son Jindřich IV. of Rožemberk, and after him Jan II. of Rožemberk. Both were constantly having problems with money and debts, which were made by their father, thanks to his war costs. Castle was given as guarantee to the Přeškov from Čestice. In the contract was included free access to the castles from former owners. After his death the castle was paid and returned to the Rožemberk family.
From 1468 to 1472 was rough around the castle. There were neighborly disputes between Rožemberk and towns Písek
Písek
Písek is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has a population of 29 909 .-About:Písek is usually called "The Athens of the South", although Athens is much more southerly, because it has many high schools and schools of higher education, e.g. the Film School in Písek...
, Sušice
Sušice
Sušice is a town in the Pilsen Region of the Czech Republic. It lies on the Otava River, some to the south of the regional capital of Pilsen.Sušice is also the seat of the Municipality with Extended Competence and with Commissioned Local Authority....
and Vodňany
Vodnany
Vodňany is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 7,000 inhabitants.Administrative parts of Vodňany are: Čavyně, Hvožďany, Křtětice, Pražák, Radčice, Újezd, Vodňanské Svobodné Hory, Vodňany I and Vodňany II....
. Castle did not face to big losses, but these disputes hits neighboring villages.
After the death Jan of Rožemberk and after death of his son Jindrich V. the owner of castle become the Vok II. of Rožemberk. Cause of dues he sold the castle to the brothers Václav and Zikmund Vlčka of Čenov.
Václav Vlček was on begging just a regular captain, he had fought in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and in service of king get many military skills and become a field captain. He was known as exceptional leader and specialist for the defense. He strengthened the defense of the castle, and built three circular walls with placers for shooters in years 1473-1483. He was very strong and unwanted for neighbors Rožemberk and that's why they borrowed money to the Count Jindrich Preuschenkovi Hardegg to buy the castle, which he did in 1489. After his death the castle get back into ownership of Rožmberk family. In 1499 his son sold them the castle back. In 1523 there is a dispute about the succession, because Petar IV. of Rožmberka, as well as his brothers had no children. Excitement of this castle is that in the years 1515 to 1518 was castellan so scrooge man that he fired all the staff and was all alone in the castle. His name was Želízko from Tourov.
In 1551 Vilém of Rožmberka annexed to the castle part of the surrounding properties and increase the castle itself. Helfenburk was one of the poorest castles, at least according Rožemberk inventory. There was not much furniture and crockery, but that number was compensated by equipment of the castle, whether it was tools or weapons. Also there were not enough servants. After moving to Kratochvíle
Kratochvíle
Kratochvíle is a picturesque Renaissance manorial residence surrounded by a park located in the south Bohemian countryside, near Netolice, Prachatice district, Czech Republic.-History:...
castle becomes completely abandonment.
In 1592 after the death of Vilém of Rožmberka his younger brother and successor, Petr Vok sold the entire castle to the town Bavorov. After Bíla hořa castle was confiscated, although the city was trying to get it back, but failed. Already at that time the castle was denoted as abandon. Castle was used more than 200 years. Later it was owned by other families, such as Eggenberg
House of Eggenberg
Eggenberg is the name of an Austrian noble family from Styria whose last male heir died in 1717 bringing an end to the House of Eggenberg.- History :The origin of the Austrian noble house of Eggenberg is shrouded in darkness...
, later Schwarzenberg
House of Schwarzenberg
-History:The family was first mentioned in 1172. A branch of the Seinsheim family was created when Erkinger I of Seinsheim acquired the Franconian barony of Schwarzenberg, the castle Schwarzenberg and the title Baron of Schwarzenberg, in 1405–21. At this time, they also possessed some fiefdoms in...
until the year 1922 and then it became property of the state..
Description of the castle
Castle is situated in the top of roc], today is partially hidden by forests. In front of the castle was fortressed villageVillage
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
. Castle has circular floor plan. The entrance to the castle led through a bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
over a deep ditch and intermittent rocks and it is surrounded by walls. Entrance through the first door once led over the floating bridge.
Specificity of Helfenburk is that there are three gates, arranged one behind the other. Left, on the rock is a huge tower
Tower
A tower is a tall structure, usually taller than it is wide, often by a significant margin. Towers are distinguished from masts by their lack of guy-wires....
. It is 18m high, round and has diameter about 10 m. From it, it is possible to defend not only the main entrance, but also to see a large part of the castle and all three doors. Here was also the apartment of the tower guardian. Entry went through a wooden bridge from the building or by the stairs. At the present time it is serving as a lookout
Lookout
A lookout or look-out is a person on a ship in charge of the observation of the sea for hazards, other ships, land, etc. Lookouts report anything they see and or hear. When reporting contacts, lookouts give information such as, bearing of the object, which way the object is headed, target angles...
. Now it is reconstructed and the roof is putting on.
From the tower you can see the circular walls, which were built by Vlček of Čenov. Another door closes with wedge. The whole bottom part of the second courtyard
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
is enclosed by buildings and has an irregular shape. The third door leads to the inner palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
. Front yard of the castle was full of commercial wooden buildings. Buildings made from bricks are the youngest in the castle and were made from 15 st. Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
beside on left side was used as a reservoir of rainwater or water that was brought from below of the castle. Depth was around 10m, but it was gradually buried.
Inside palace of the castle had its buildings, now they are the ruins in front of the castle, on which people walk. The palace had a base in the basement and two floors (according to some theories, and third, which was wooden). The palace consisted of two centers, it is essentially because there were two palaces that were gradually merged. In the corners of the thumbs still we can see high-quality works in stone but the rest of the stone decoration was used in 16 century as a building material and was taken away. North side of the castle, one that can not be seen from a large tower, is strongend by the building of smaller round tower. It is located on a site where three buildings are connecting, it is 15m high and now serves as a tourist observation.
Legends
In 17. st. Helfenburk become a home of many lost persons and homeless. There was found a boy, who was looked like a monkey and was surviving by collecting fruits and roots. After a long time though he was successfully civilized.According to some stories lived on Helfenburku anchorite
Anchorite
Anchorite denotes someone who, for religious reasons, withdraws from secular society so as to be able to lead an intensely prayer-oriented, ascetic, and—circumstances permitting—Eucharist-focused life...
.
According to further legend under the great tower is hidden treasure
Treasure
Treasure is a concentration of riches, often one which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered...
. It can be found only on Big Friday. A farmer who lived near Koječin tried to find it. When he began to dig he saw a devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
with a mustache, and he was frighten and run. And so he lost treasure.
Another legend is about the piper. He was found of small black kitten. When he was home, kitten was also at home. But immediately when he went to work, kitten disappeared in an unknown direction. Once in a bad mood he was going back home. Close to Helfenburk on his way stood man dressed in a black and asked him whether he wanted to make some money and play to his friends. Piper then follow him to the castle and played. But he was afraid to look, to whom he is playing and who actually pays. After a while he was encouraged and then he saw that he was playing to the cats. And the man who brought him to the castle, he was a little black kitten. Piper was convinced that he had seen the devil himself.