Ondřej Havelka & his Melody Makers

The construction of Říčany Castle was probably initiated by Ondřej of Všechromy, the founder of the noble family of Říčany. This aristocrat was a devoted adherer to King Přemysl Otakar II.  At first he was appointed the King’s personal valet with the function of serving food and from 1260 he acted as the senior valet.  Such a political position also needed a corresponding representative seat which initiated the construction work on the castle (1260 – 1270), probably built on foundations of an older wooden fortress. Říčany is first mentioned in written records in 1289. Later a village of the same name was established in the area under the castle.