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Víckov Castle image 1 of 1

No. 74648

Castle · Czechia

Víckov Castle

Czechia14th centuryFirst known reference: 1340
CastleRuinInstitutional
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No. 74648 · 49.397 N, 16.272 E

Quick summary

Víckov Castle is a castle in Czechia, listed as reference No. 74648.

Víckov Castle is a castle in Czechia with origins associated with the 14th century.

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Víckov Castle is located near the village of Víckov within the municipality of Žďárec-Křižanov in the modern Czech Republic. It was established during the medieval period by the Bohemian nobility.

The castle was likely built in the early 14th century on land connected to the nearby Bukov Castle, which disappeared around the same time. The first written record mentioning Víckov appears in 1340, referencing a nobleman named Bernard. Later, in 1365, Margrave John Henry acquired the estate from Bohuslav, a relative of Bernard. Following this, the castle came under the direct control of the margraviate for several decades.

In the early 15th century, the noble Pernštejn family held Víckov as a fief, managing it temporarily on behalf of the margrave. Archaeological investigations indicate the castle was likely abandoned during the first quarter of that century. By 1454, it was explicitly described as deserted when King Ladislaus the Posthumous granted it to Jan of Pernštejn, marking its decline as an active stronghold. Since then, the castle has remained in ruins.

Today, the remains of Víckov Castle hold cultural significance recognized by the Czech Republic. The site is protected as a cultural monument and is listed among the most endangered immovable heritage locations by the National Heritage Institute.

Condition

The castle occupies a strategic position east of the village of Víckov, naturally defended on several sides by steep valleys created by the Bobrůvka River. On the western and southwestern sides, a shallow, curved moat separates the castle from the adjacent plateau, adding an additional defensive barrier. The overall layout is based on an irregular hexagonal plan divided into two parts, enclosed within a fortified stone wall.

A gate tower projects prominently at the northwestern corner, serving as the main entrance into the complex. Inside, a transverse wall runs across the interior, effectively separating the site into front and rear sections. Near the gate, archaeological evidence reveals only one depression, believed to be the foundation of a wooden structure that was attached to this dividing wall. A small gate within this structure likely provided access to the rear part of the castle.

Along the southwestern perimeter, there are depressions and remnants of a long stone building. This structure may have served residential or administrative purposes. In the northern corner formed by the junction of the perimeter and dividing walls, ruins of a three-room building stand out. This structure has qualities similar to a tower-like palace, possibly used as a more fortified living quarters.

The current state of the castle is notably deteriorated, with surviving elements primarily consisting of stone foundations and fragments of walls, as documented in detail through photographs taken in 2017. These remains offer a tangible connection to the castle’s medieval past and illustrate its architectural layout and defensive design.

Location

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