Strekov, castle
A beautiful Gothic castle ruin
perched on a 100-meter phonolite cliff situated in Ústí
nad Labem at right bank of the river Labe at that thee southern end
of the city. It was founded in 1318 by PeÄ…ek of Støekov.
It is situated in a romantic landscape.
Historical and architectural evolution
In the 10th century, a 'salt route' ran along the river Labe, from the
North across today's Knínice, Ústí nad Labem and
Stebno to Lovosice. A fortificated town was growing at the confluence
of Labe and Bílina. That was the origin of today's regional center,
Ústí nad Labem. Near the 'salt route ', so called 'Serbian
route' ran later. This way, the German Emperor Henry II lead his
campaign against prince Boleslav the Brave to Prague in 1004, here prince
Sobìslav II defeated the German Emperor Lothar III near Chlumec
in 1126. But along Labe, there ran no routes because of steep rocky
banks and frequent floods. The valley was protected only with the castles
in Dìèín and Svádov.
The situation changed in the 13th and 14th century. The noblemen
began to build their fortresses on well-protected steep rocks. These
castles became to important military bases protecting trade routes.
The castle Støekov was built by PeÄ…ek of Støekov on
a 100-meter phonolite cliff at the right bank of Labe in 1318. PeÄ…ek
got the castle as a vassal from King John the Luxemburger and promised
King John fidelity and participation in protection of king's interests.
The manor of Støekov was never too wide. It contained Støekov,
Novosedlice, Kramoly, Sedlo, Nová Ves, TaÄ…ov, Pohoøí,
ProboÄ…tov and Zálezly. But PeÄ…ek took care of the manor only
one Year.
In September, 1319 John allocated it to Vartemberks from Dìèín.
They finished the construction and extended it in 1400. Then the castle
was pledged to JeÄ…ek Vchýnský of Siøejovice,
then it was entrusted to DobuÄ…a and Ota of Brány, then to William
of Meisen, and VlaÄ…ek of Kladno was the caretaker of Støekov
in the era of King Václav IV. He was Prague burgess and former
burgrave in Kadaò, who was strongly loyal to the king. He was
also a great follower of Rome Church. That's why became Støekov
to fortress of the Catholic side during the Hussite period. Here were
hidden the cathedral treasure from the Augustinian monastery in Roudnice
and important capitular books of St.Vitus's Cathedral at Prague Castle.
Benedictines of Teplice live on Støekov a few years after destrusction
of their monastery.
In 1479, brothers HanuÄ… and Lorenc Glac of Starý Dvùr
controlled the castle. They mined metal in KruÄ…né mountains,
so that they obtained considerable riches. They arranged the building,
and added some decorative elements in order to make Støekov
more representative. In the first half of 16th century, there were
frequent exchanges of owners. Then, Václav Popel of Lobkovice
gained it in 1563. He had the castle recontructed and extended again.That
was the last reconstruction. Since then, it only had been ruined.
During the 30-year war, Sweden occupated Støekov four times
and finally, they blew up the rocks in the river below the castle
in order to loosen the way for their flotiles carrying stolen gems
from palaces in the Prague Castle and from the Prague Lesser Town.
The last time, the castle served the armies, was during the 7-year
war in 1757. Since then, nobody took care of it.
It wasn't until the 19th century that people discovered the beauty
of the Støekov Castle. First mention of a pub in the castle
appeared in 1810, as prove of new interest in this pitoresque historical
monument. Its quiant location attracted artists. For example, the
German poet Theodor Körner visited Støekov in 1811, another
visitors were famous Czech poet Karel Hynek Mácha, well-known
German painter Ludwig Adrian Richter, another painters Kandler, Bürger
and Doerell. The most known visitor was Richard Wagner, who drew up
the plan for the opera Tannhäuser here in 1842.
In connection with the interest in Støekov changed environs
of the calstle. The first steamship arrived to Ústí
from Prague in 1841. So did the first train along the left bank 10
years later. In 1874, the railway from Litomìøice across
Støekov and Ústí to Dìèín
started. Støekov was reconstructed in the end of 19th century
by Ohmann. Ústí had already dense industry. The architect
FrantiÄ…ek Vahala, has finished the barrier below the cliff in 1936.
After WW2, the castle belonged to the state. They started wide recovery.
The walls were reinforced, the tower palace's roof was newly covered,
the fallen vaults were supported. Windows and interior of rooms of
the palace and the chapel was modified. The bottom part of the castle
was recovered as well. They made some investigations and discovered
bz that time unknown stairs to the 2nd floor of the tower palace.
Accomodation rooms and the restaurant were opened later. That is the
today's image of Støekov castle.
After 1989, the castle was returned to the Lobkovics, it is open
to visitors.
Practical information
| Owner |
Martin Lobkowicz - L.E.Holdings Prague |
| Address |
hrad Støekov, Ústí nad Labem 400 03,
Czech Rep., Tel:+420 47 31553 |
Guide 
