Castles

Ledeč nad Sázavou Castle

Hradní 701, 584 01 Ledeč nad Sázavou
© kresba Jan Heřman / Hrad v 13. století, rekonstrukce podle L. Svobody
© kresba Jan heřman / Ledeč v 15. století, podle L. Svobody
© kresba Jan heřman / Ledeč koncem 19. století

Style of architecture Gothic

The early Gothic castle from the middle of the 13th century stands on a steep rock promontory, bordered by the right bank of the Sázava River and the Olešený Brook. Probably a wooden fortress stood here earlier to protect the Sázava merchant trail, which was connected to Haberská. The original castle with its tower, eastern palace and parkings, was gradually added to in the course of centuries in late Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style - up to its present form.

From the eastern side the castle was protected by a deep, artificially dug moat, over which there was a wooden bridge, which was replaced by a stone one in 1838. The rock, which from ancient times formed the right bank of the Sázava River, was artificially cut down for the purpose of building a road. Goods were transported to the castle from the north side, along a steep slope called the "rising slope", by means of an ox-cart. The access to the first courtyard (former forecourt) was protected by bastions with loopholes. In 1642, Baron Hadrian of Enkefurt had a monumental, early Baroque stone portal built, on which their family crests and the Latin inscription "Vivit post funera virtus" (Even after death lives bravery) are carved. The lower courtyard is flanked by single-storey buildings, topped to the north by a semicircular bastion that served as a prison. An extension connecting the tower with the southern wing of the buildings leads to the upper courtyard, dominated by an early Gothic cylindrical tower 32 m high. The entire upper courtyard is paved with rough stones (cat heads). The north and east sides are defined by a massive two-winged palace building, in the corner of which, above the arcades, is a Renaissance loggia with balustrade railings, covered by a slate roof. The ground floor of the northern wing of the so-called small palace has been a museum since 1938. On the west side of the courtyard is the former stable. The remaining part of the upper courtyard is enclosed on the south side by a single-storey building. In both courtyards there are fountains made of sandstone from the 17th century. Access to the castle from the south-east side is via a stone bridge from 1838, through a cul-de-sac gate, through the main palace to the upper courtyard. The bridge overlooks the castle parklands, where a drawbridge used to stand in place of the right-hand parkland. In the left parkland is a baroque gazebo with sgraffito decoration.

The castle has several sightseeing tours for visitors. One of them is the museum circuit, where you can find one of the most extensive expositions of historical clocks with very rare pieces from the Renaissance period. The guide will also take you on a historical tour through the castle premises, where you will learn mainly about the history of the castle and the Ledeč region. If you visit the castle with children, you should not forget the children's circuit with the largest exhibition of teddy bears and a real knight's armoury. It is also worth mentioning the Jaroslav Foglar Museum and the castle tower, which you can see on your own without a guide.

Map

Mapa
Contact
Hradní 701, 584 01 Ledeč nad Sázavou
Mobile: +420 731 612 457, +420 731 612 460
E-mail: hrad@ledecns.cz
GPS: 49,69666928°N 15,28055768°E