Cheb Castle

The castle complex presents a layered architectural history with well-preserved Romanesque elements that illustrate its medieval origins and imperial significance. The overall layout originally comprised a two-part core featuring a front defensive wall flanked by two round towers. During the late 12th century rebuilding under Frederick Barbarossa, one of these round towers was replaced by the rectangular Black Tower, which stands as the oldest surviving structure today.

The Black Tower served as the bergfried or main defensive keep and also functioned as a political prison. It is constructed of dark basalt stones arranged in bossage—a technique where the stone faces remain rough, creating a distinctive texture. The walls at the ground level are notably thick, measuring over three meters, providing formidable protection. The tower rises approximately 18.5 meters, and the uppermost floor was added in the 18th century using rubble stone that differs in color from the original basalt, marking a visible alteration in its appearance.

A remarkable feature of the castle is its largely intact double chapel, which reflects both religious practices and imperial hierarchy. The lower chapel, dedicated to St. Martin, is Romanesque, composed of eight bays covered by groin vaults supported by four granite columns. This space was intended for worship by the imperial court and represents a fine example of medieval ecclesiastical architecture.

Above the lower chapel lies the upper chapel, dedicated to saints Erhard and Ursula. This upper sanctuary was reserved exclusively for the imperial family. It displays a transitional architectural style between the late Romanesque and the early Gothic, evident in its ribbed vaults borne by white marble columns. The contrasting styles reveal evolving aesthetic and structural preferences during the castle’s development.

Excavations within the castle courtyard have uncovered traces of the earlier Slavic fortifications, including wooden-earth ramparts reinforced with dry-laid stone walls and defensive ditches. Two Slavic graves containing crosses were found nearby, providing physical links to the site’s initial inhabitants and their customs.

Further evidence of the castle’s layout includes the partially preserved palace on the northern side. Here, the first-floor imperial hall once played a central role in official functions. In front of this palace stands the freestanding, two-story double chapel, forming an architectural ensemble that highlights the integration of spiritual and secular power.

Later medieval modifications included the addition of a half-timbered upper floor to the palace building and the construction of two round towers, known as Mlýnská and Skalní, located in the outer bailey overlooking the river. These structures enhanced the castle’s defensive capabilities and its visual prominence in the landscape.

On the castle grounds, visitors today find a courtyard bordered by the palace walls and the double chapel. Near the entrance, a modern installation of a Staufer stele commemorates the 800th anniversary of the Golden Bull of Eger in 2013, linking the site back to its imperial past.

Restoration efforts over recent decades have stabilized and preserved the masonry to prevent deterioration, including large-scale repairs completed in 2007. The area beneath the bastion walls has been landscaped into a park, providing a protective and aesthetic setting for the historic remains. Throughout these interventions, the site’s rich archaeological collection highlights the cultural and historical layers embedded within Cheb Castle.