Basic information
- Title: Radyně Castle
- Location: above Stary Plzenec, approximately 10 km southeast of Pilsen
- Region: Pilsen Region
- Date of establishment: around the year 1350
- Founder: Charles IV.
- Original title: Karlskrone (Charles Crown) - However, this name did not catch on and later returned to its original name after the hill, Radyně.
History
- The castle was built as royal castleto protect trade routes and strengthen the power of the monarch in western Bohemia.
- After the end of the Hussite wars, he began Decline - the royal court was moved to Pilsen.
- From the 16th century the castle was abandoned and gradually turned into a ruin.
- In the 19th century, patriots became interested in it and the castle was partially restored.
The Legend of Radouš
Once upon a time, in the castle of Radyna, a man named Radoux. He was a unique individual - half man, half wizardwho was rumored to have donkey ears. To keep his secret hidden, always had the barber executedwho were fixing his hair.
But once, a barber saved his life by carved a sentence into the hollow tree:
"The Lord of Radyna has donkey ears!"
When the wind stirred the hollow tree, the secret quickly spread around the area. The enraged Radoux is said to have cursed the castle a entered the depths of the rock. Since then, he has only appeared at night - rides a black horse, sometimes with chains, and guarding the treasures hidden in the cellar.
There's a superstition that when the castle is shrouded in fog, Radouš walks through his estate and seeks those brave enough to break his curse.
Present
- Currently the castle is open to visitors.
- At the top of the main tower is viewing platform with a breathtaking view of Pilsen, Brdy and Sumava.
- Inside the tower is located permanent exhibition concerning History castle and the surrounding region.
- In the castle there are various cultural events...night tours and fencing shows.
How to get to Radyně Castle
- 🏙️ Starting point: city Stary Plzenec
- 🚶♂️ Length of journey: approximately 2 km (about 30 minutes walk)
- 🟢 Route: after green hiking trail from Stary Plzenec to the top of Radyně Hill
- 🚗 Automobile: parking is located under the castle (by the road to Nezvěstice)
- 🚴♀️ On the bike: it is also possible to arrive by bike, but the last part of the route is steeper
- 🕓 Operating hours: usually from April to October, mostly 10:00-17:00, depends on the season
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