Tachov Castle

In the place where Tachov Castle stands today, there was already early medieval fortification. Written references to the local castle dates back to the twelfth century - in 1126, a report on the repair of the tach fortifications appears in the documents. The castle itself was to be founded by a monarch in the middle of the thirteenth century on the site of the older settlement. The early medieval fort ended tragically: it succumbed to a massive fire probably in the first half of the 13th century. A new castle was created in his place immediately after the disaster, which soon became part of the royal possession.

Over the centuries, Tachov remained a royal castle, but the monarchs repeatedly stopped it for various noble families as collateral for loans or dedication. The castle gradually passed through the hands of the lord of Gutstejn, Pluho of Rabstejn and later Lobkovice. In the fifteenth century his fates were mistaken for Hussite wars - in 1421 the city occupied the Hussite army Jan Žižka. The castle was defended by Crusaders and local noblemen, but it was occupied by the Hussite crew. Later, he was unsuccessfully besieged by the Crusades during one of their expeditions.

In the sixteenth century, the castle is under stronger control of the Gutstejn family, especially their rich branches. The brothers of Gutštejna led between them military disputes about his ownership, until finally Jindřich of Gutštejna Castle in 1509 conquered a surprising attack. The royal power took over the castle again during the reign of Vladislav II, when other governors managed it. In the following period he belonged among others to Hanuz Pluh of Rabštejn, a prominent figure of his time.

After the 30-year war came a fundamental change - an old, badly damaged medieval castle was rebuilt baroque. First, in order to meet the new requirements of representation, first, to remove military or defence elements that were no longer relevant. But the new era should not have been without problems: in 1770 the castle was hit by a catastrophic fire. It was later adopted by the Windischgrätz, who had it restored from 1787 to 1809 and rebuilt in a classical style, which called it determining its appearance.

The castle area has acquired cultural heritage status and is guarded as such. Since 2014, the castle has been open to the public and offers guided tours. The complex also includes a gallery that enriches the visitor experience. Tachov Castle thus testifies to the long history of the Czech Middle Ages, Hussite fighting, aristocracy and the creation of classical representativeness, which he had made seventeenth and eighteenth years.