Czech Republic

This immensely dramatic ruin stands high on a rock above the River Labem (Elbe) a short way south of the border with Germany.  The nearest town is Ústí-nad-Labem (where Andrew's father was born - he remembers climbing to the Castle in his youth).

The Castle was built initially in the early 14th Century to control the traffic on the River which was one of the major ways into northern Bohemia. Initially it was a much smaller building, but it was expanded in the 15th Century to more or less the size it is today.

In the 17th century it became the home of the Lobkowicz family, who, under Czech restitutionary laws, are now able to claim ownership of the Castle again.

The most famous resident of the Castle was Richard Wagner who stayed here and was inspired by the Castle for the setting of Tannhauser.

The glory of Castle is surely the view up and down the Labem valley which is absolutely superb, particularly in the Autumn when the tree-clad hills are cloaked in many colours.

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2001