zámek Červená Řečice Chateau

The castle in Červená Řečici stands right in the center of the town in the Pelhřimov district. Since 1963 it has been a cultural monument, and in 2014 it was declared a national cultural monument.

The Řečice estate belonged to the Prague bishops already in the 12th century. In the second half of the 13th century, they had a fortified manor built there. Bishop Tobiáš z Bechyně fortified it together with a nearby church against the raids of Otto of Brandenburg and against the Vitkovci. In the 14th century, under Archbishop Ernest of Pardubice, the manor was rebuilt into a Gothic castle, which served mainly for the administration of the estate. In 1384 and 1392, Archbishop John of Jenštejn stayed there. His general vicar John of Pomuk is mentioned in his retinue.

Then came turbulent times. In 1415 Jan Svídnický z Chotěmic bought the castle. But as a Catholic he had to go into exile, and in 1422 the castle was most likely occupied by the Hussites. Around 1428 it was acquired by Mikuláš Sokol z Lamberka, who negotiated peace there with Oldřich Druhý z Rožmberka. The owners then changed quickly. Michal ze Stráže opposed King George of Poděbrady, and in 1467 Petr Břekovec z Ostromeče conquered the castle.

In the 1560s, Šebestián Leskovec z Leskovce rebuilt the castle into a Renaissance château. On the provincial assemblies it was then registered as Nové Řečice. In 1597 Heřman z Říčan bought the château. Jan z Říčan lost it after the Battle of White Mountain, and in 1623 it fell to Archbishop Arnošt Vojtěch z Harrachu, who hid there during the Thirty Years' War. Later archbishops showed little interest in the château. Matouš Ferdinand Sobek z Bílenberka had it repaired. The last major reconstruction before nationalization took place under František Kordač and his successor Karel Kašpar.

Today the château is in private hands. Since 2011, restoration work has been carried out there. In May 2014, a fire struck the château, but it destroyed only the roof of the tower on the north side. Extensive reconstruction began in 2020, and in 2023 the château opened to the public.

The castle has a six-sided ground plan and two courtyards. It is surrounded by a unique fortification with multi-sided bastions, a moat, and a high rampart. Around the first courtyard stand multi-story wings, and from the south rises a prismatic Clock Tower. The middle wing is the oldest part. On the east it is joined by a round tower called Hláska.