Tvrz Vlksice Fortress

Tvrz Vlksice is a cultural monument located in the village of Vlksice in the district of Písek, South Bohemia. This Renaissance fortress, registered among the protected cultural monuments of the Czech Republic since 1995, is remarkable in its history and architectural development. The original fortified residence in Vlkice existed since the 13th century, but the contemporary Renaissance building was built in the middle of the 16th century. The fortress underwent several stages of ownership and modification, reflecting the region's rich history.

The first written mention of the fort dates back to 1486, but it is not certain whether it relates to the present building. The fortified residence in Vlkvice probably existed earlier and was located outside the existing building. The Renaissance fortress we know today was established in the mid-16th century under the leadership of the Tetours of Tetov. This family sold it in 1570 by Jan Tetour to the family of Themins from Tymic. In the following years, the fortress became the property of various noble families, including Jan Micany of Klinstein and Přech of Hodìjov.

In 1610 he took over the administration of Vlksic Jan's nephew Smil, who emigrated from Bohemia after the Battle of White Mountain. His property was confiscated and in 1621 he purchased the fortress Pavel Michna z Vacínova. Mikulash Elder Bechýna of Lažany, the successor of Pavel Michna, sold Vlksia in 1637 to Adam Bedřich of Doudleb. After the death of Adam Bedřich in 1665, the Wolf was divided into two parts, one of which was inherited by his son Oldřich František.

Between 1675 and 1676, Colonel Jan Oldřich of Klebelsberg bought both parts, which in 1680 sold them to the abbot of the Strahov monastery Hyacint Hochmann. Since then the fort has been used as a granary and managed from Milevska. After World War II, the fortress went to the JZD, which used it as a warehouse. Now it belongs to Jiří Šámalík and theatre performances are held in the chateau premises.

The architecture of the fortress of Vlksice brought several stages of development. The original late Gothic building was rebuilt in the middle of the 16th century into the Renaissance style when the facade was covered with writing sgraffite. In the Baroque time, there were other adjustments which turned the fort into a two-storey granary and added a new lower-rolled roof. In the 19th century, the lower part of the granary was adapted for residential purposes and a court extension was carried out, but it was later removed.

Tvrz Vlksice stands on the southeastern edge of the village on the elevated contiguous terrain. It is a one-storey, unglazed building with a rectangular plan and a rolled-up saddle roof. The monument protection of the building also applies to the adjacent courtyard, which today serves for residential purposes. The fortress area includes a garden with a well and cast iron hand pump. There is a modern gate on the north side of the yard, but it is not part of the cultural monument.

The facade of the fort is covered with letter sgraffite and other valuable elements of the exterior include, for example, plaster corner bobsleigh or Fabion ledge. The interior of the building is preserved in the northern part of the building from the Renaissance building modification of the late-Gothic building, which adds to its historical value. The whole ground floor has arched spaces and the north part of the floor has arched spaces. The object can be entered through a granite portal with a broken enchantment or a Gothic stone portal.

Today the fortress of Vlksice is accessible to visitors who can experience its history and architecture. The premises are used for cultural events, especially theatre performances, which makes the fortress a living centre of the community. The visit to the Vlksice Chateau offers a unique view of the history and culture of the South Bohemia Region and is an important reminder of the past, which has survived to the present day.