Strekov castle
Encyclopedia
Střekov castle is situated in the village Střekov
in the city of Ústí nad Labem
. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century on a basalt rock above the river Labe
to protect the important waterway and to collect duties. Střekov castle enchanted many world known artists notably Richard Wagner
who was inspired to write a poem that served as basis for the libretto to the opera Tannhäuser
.
flowers. According to the fable the Lords of the Castle's daughter once fell in love with a poor horseman. Her father however did not approve of their love. He found another wooer for her and the horseman was imprisoned and starved to death. The girl then jumped from the 100m high rock and as she was falling her golden hair touched the rock in places where now the golden Aubrieta flowers grow.
It is also said that from time to time her ghost can be seen climbing the cliff to meet the spirit of her beloved who died in the tower of the castle.
Richard Wagner the ghost
In 1842 a mysterious white silhouette was seen walking on the walls and around the area. This "ghost" however was actually Richard Wagner clothed in white bedsheets who was looking for a muse. Finally he wrote a poem that later became basis for his famous opera Tannhäuser.
Strekov
Strekov is a village and municipality in the Nové Zámky District in the Nitra Region of south-west Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 132 metres and covers an area of 41.055 km²...
in the city of Ústí nad Labem
Ústí nad Labem
Ústí nad Labem is a city of the Czech Republic, in the Ústí nad Labem Region. The city is the 7th-most populous in the country.Ústí is situated in a mountainous district at the confluence of the Bílina and the Elbe Rivers, and, besides being an active river port, is an important railway junction...
. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century on a basalt rock above the river Labe
Labe
Lab can refer to:* Elbe, a river in Central Europe - Labe in Czech* Labé, the main city of the Fouta Djallon region of Guinea...
to protect the important waterway and to collect duties. Střekov castle enchanted many world known artists notably Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
who was inspired to write a poem that served as basis for the libretto to the opera Tannhäuser
Tannhäuser (opera)
Tannhäuser is an opera in three acts, music and text by Richard Wagner, based on the two German legends of Tannhäuser and the song contest at Wartburg...
.
Legends and fables
In spring the basalt rock upon which the castle was built is covered by golden AubrietaAubrieta
Aubrieta is a genus of about 12 species of flowering plants in the cabbage family Brassicaceae. The genus is named after Claude Aubriet, a French flower-painter. It originates from southern Europe east to central Asia but is now a common garden escape throughout Europe...
flowers. According to the fable the Lords of the Castle's daughter once fell in love with a poor horseman. Her father however did not approve of their love. He found another wooer for her and the horseman was imprisoned and starved to death. The girl then jumped from the 100m high rock and as she was falling her golden hair touched the rock in places where now the golden Aubrieta flowers grow.
It is also said that from time to time her ghost can be seen climbing the cliff to meet the spirit of her beloved who died in the tower of the castle.
Richard Wagner the ghost
In 1842 a mysterious white silhouette was seen walking on the walls and around the area. This "ghost" however was actually Richard Wagner clothed in white bedsheets who was looking for a muse. Finally he wrote a poem that later became basis for his famous opera Tannhäuser.
External links
- website (cz)