Dolní tvrz Kestřany Fortress
The lower stronghold in Kestrány lies in a flat landscape about eight kilometres southwest of Sand. In addition to the upper fortress, Baroque castle and farm buildings, it is part of a protected historical area. Transit communication divides the construction into eastern and western parts. From both preserved Kestrian strongholds, this is both younger and smaller.
It was founded at the end of the 14th century by the sons of Nicholas of Kestřán, who called himself Baroch and was the grandson of Albert of Kestřán. The hardships were built together with Matej Bruz from Kovářov. In the coming age, the building was owned by members of the family: it was first taken over by Ctibor Baroch, who died during the reign of King Ladislav. His son Mikuláš Baroch sold it in 1475 to Bohuslav from Kestřán, to which the upper fortress belonged. When he bought the Kestrian manor Jindřich ze Švamberka in 1491, the lower fort was already desolate. Henry III's elders from Švamberk later had it repaired and set up a brewery in it, which is mentioned in 1553. Since then, it has served only economic purposes.
The construction was built in flat terrain, surrounded by wetlands. The core of the fort from the end of the 14th century is the prism residential tower. The first construction phase probably included a tower gate. Probably in the second half of the 15th century a late Gothic reconstruction took place. A new fortification was then established with a round tower in the northwest corner; The entrance to it leads through a portal from the castle gallery. In the same period, new palace wings were added to the south and east walls.
The living tower has a rectangular plan and originally entered from the south side through the entrance at the level of the first floor. The main residential areas were located on the second and third floors, where windows with seats and remnants of sliders were preserved. The tower was flat-ceiling, but during the late Gothic reconstruction the ground floor was also encapsulated with a vaulted vault.
The lower fort stands today as a silent witness to the rich history of регионProcessing. Its changes from residential fortress to beer operation to economic use illustrate the changes of society and the fates of noble settlements in Czech countries. The protected area attracts interested people for medieval architecture and the life of local nobles.
Architectural development
The lower fort was built in flat terrain with a prismatic residential tower and probably also a tower gate. In the second half of the 15th century, a late Gothic reconstruction took place during which a new fortification and a round tower in the northwest corner were built. At that time, the palace wings were also added.
Historical events
- End 14th Century
- Status of the fort of the sons of Nicholas Baroch.
- 1475
- The sale of the Lower Fortress to Bohuslav of Kestrán.
- 1491
- Buying the Kestrian estate by Henry of Švamberk, when the fort was marked as desolate.
Points of interest
- The lower fortress in Kestřany was founded at the end of the 14th century by the sons of Nicholas of Kestřán.
The hard ones were building together with Matej Brusz from Kovářov.
- In 1475, he sold it to Bohuslav of Kestrán, who owned the upper fort.
- Henry the 3rd Elder of Švamberk later had the lower fort repaired and in it he set up a brewery, commemorated in 1553.
- The building has a prismatic residential tower with windows with seats and remnants of cronies on the second and third floors.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Dolní Tvrz in Kestřany is located approximately eight kilometres southwest of Písek. It belongs to a historic complex which also comprises the Upper Tvrz, a Baroque chateau and farm buildings. The entire complex is protected as a cultural monument. A through road divides it into eastern and western parts, and the Dolní Tvrz stands in the flat ground to the right of it.
Of the two surviving fortifications in Kestřany, the Dolní Tvrz is the smaller and younger one. At the end of the fourteenth century, it was built by the sons of Mikuláš of Kestřany, called Baroch, together with Matěj Brus of Kovářov. Mikuláš was the grandson of Albert of Kestřany. The fortification was later held by Ctibor Baroch, who died during the reign of King Ladislaus. His son, another Mikuláš Baroch, sold the Dolní Tvrz in 1475 to Bohuslav of Kestřany, who owned the Upper Tvrz.
In 1491, the Kestřany estates were purchased by Henry of Švamberk. The Dolní Tvrz was recorded as abandoned at that time. Henry the Third the Elder of Švamberk had it repaired and established a brewery in it, which is documented in 1553. From then on, the fortification served only agricultural purposes.
The structure was built on flat terrain surrounded by marshland. Its core is a rectangular residential tower from the end of the fourteenth century. The first building phase probably also included a tower-like gate. Most likely in the second half of the fifteenth century, the fortification underwent a late Gothic reconstruction. At that time, new fortifications were built with a round tower at the northwest corner. The tower was entered through a portal from the fortress walkway. At the same time, new palace wings were added along the southern and eastern walls.
The residential tower has a rectangular ground plan. Originally it was entered from the south side through an entrance at the height of the first floor. The main living quarters were on the second and third floors. Windows with seats and remnants of medieval latrines have been preserved there. The entire tower originally had flat ceilings. The ground floor was later vaulted with a barrel vault during the late Gothic reconstruction.
Tips for visitors
Best time to visit The lower fortress in Kestřany is the period from spring to autumn when the natural beauty of the surroundings is in full splendor and the weather is most suitable for the tour. This time of the year also offers lighter temperatures, which ensures a more comfortable visit.
Transport to Kestřán can be arranged either by car or by public transport.
When planning a trip, remember basic needs such as protective clothing, sunglasses and plenty of drinking. If you are going to take pictures, also bring a high-quality camera or mobile phone with a good camera.
For photographers, the best place to take pictures is the sunrise, when light illuminates the fortress and surrounding landscape in a special way. The views from the north side are often popular for capturing historical buildings in the natural environment.
In the vicinity of the Lower Fortress Kestřán you can visit Písek, which is nearby and offers rich history and cultural attractions. It is advisable for families with children to play on a rural playground or explore natural parks nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Some buildings of this kind are open for guided tours, others serve another purpose or are privately owned. We have not verified whether and when this monument is open – please ask the operator.
What are the opening hours and admission?
We have not verified the opening hours or admission. Current information is published by the operator.
Where is the monument?
Location: Kestřany, Jihočeský kraj. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Why is the monument protected?
It is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic as a cultural monument. It is protected as part of a larger listed ensemble.
For kids
Imagine going back to when Kestřany was a small town surrounded by walls. The lower fort was then the smallest and oldest of both castles in Kestrány.
It was like a game where heroes and nobles played. The fortress was formed by a prismatic two-story residential tower surrounded by a wall with a bastion and supplemented by two smaller objects. Who lived here? The nobles, the engravers, the merchants and their families. They were people who looked forward to the heroic acts and the weighing of the feast.
Businesses nearby
Do you run a restaurant, accommodation, shop, museum, rental, wellness or other visitor service near this monument? Show yourself directly to the people heading to it — this is how they will see you in the app and on the web:
Nearby
The whole area is protected as a cultural monument. It's located about eight kilometers southwest of Sand.
Accommodation nearby
Themed route
Route: Fortress Kestřany and surroundings
1.Dolní tvrz Kestřany - fortress The Kestřany Fortress is the only preserved fortress in the South Bohemia Region. It is located in the area of the former castle and is worth visiting because of its preserved Gothic development and rich history. 2. Church of St. Nicholas - Church The Church of St. Nicholas is located in the heart of the village Kestřany and is worth a visit due to its Romanesque architecture and beautiful location on the surface. 3. Kestrian pond - pond The Kestrian pond is a small pond located near the fortress Kestřany. It is worth visiting because of its peaceful atmosphere and the possibility of bird watching.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring season Dolní tvrz Kestřany is surrounded by greenery and flowers, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The right time to visit is from April to May, when the weather is sunny and warm. We recommend besieging the fort before 9:00 to avoid the ladies who decide to visit the memorial after work.
Summer: In the main summer season the fort is visited by many tourists, therefore it is good to put there before 10:00. The atmosphere is warm and sunny, but in summer it is also important to take an umbrella and sleep in a protected place.
Autumn: In the autumn season, the fortress is surrounded by the colors of nature, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The right time to visit is from September to November, when the weather is cold and sunny. We recommend besieging the fort before 9:00 to avoid the ladies who decide to visit the memorial after work.
In winter it is also important to wear warm clothes and shoes to avoid cold and wet. The atmosphere is calm and quiet, which is ideal for a peaceful tour.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: donald judge / CC BY 2.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
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