What was originally a fortified settlement belonging to the princely family in Bechyně, mentioned as early as the 9th century, stands on the most southerly projecting cliff above the confluence of the Smutná and Lužnice rivers. The Bohemian King Přemysl Otakar II acquired "the desolate hill of Bechyně" from the Bishop of Prague before 1268, and built a stone castle here. During the reign of King John of Luxemburg a town was founded below the castle, and in 1323 it was encircled by ramparts. Massive fortifications were added to the castle in the 15th century.

 

From the 1270s onwards the ownership of the castle changed hands a number of times. In 1340 Bechyně belonged to the lord of Šternberk (and again in the years 1477-1530 and 1596-1715), from whom it passed in 1367 to Jošt, the Margrave of Moravia. In 1422-1423, when the castle belonged to the Bechině of Lažany family, the town was burned down by the Hussite captain Jan Hvězda of Vicemilice, but the castle itself did not fall to Prokop the Bald until 1428.

 

From the earliest residence, reconstructed especially in 1477 and then again in 1510-1527, parts of two longitudinal buildings linked by a transverse wing are still preserved today. In the Renaissance period they were integrated into the newly constructed "Vok Castle". A fourth wing, closing off the southern side of the courtyard, was demolished in 1791.

 

After the era of the Švamberk family, who owned Bechyně from 1530 onwards, it passed into the hands of Petr Vok of Rožmberk, who held it from 1569 to 1596 and whose marriage to Kateřina of Ludanice was celebrated here on 14 February 1580. With the marriage of Marie Terezie of Šternberk to Jan Leopold, Count Paar, in 1715, Bechyně passed into the ownership of the Paar family, who remained here until 1948, when the castle was confiscated by the state. It was then used by the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. After the fall of the communist regime the property was returned to its original owners, the Paar family. In 1992 they decided to sell the castle and estate, which by then was in a very impoverished condition to Panství Bechyně [Bechyně Estate, a company owned by Josef Stava. This company constatly repaires and administers the castle. In 1998 Mr Stava opened the castle to the public, for the first time in its history.

 

The castle and the adjoining buildings and lands have effectively been subject to constant repairs ever since 1994. By 2007 the Panství Bechyně company had carried out reconstruction and repair work costing nearly 175 million crowns. Among the most important and most costly repairs were the complete reconstruction of the entire route taken by guided tours of the castle, the restoration of furniture and pictures, the reconstruction of Vok's wedding hall (the floor, the coffered ceiling, and the wall paintings), and the reconstruction of the riding school. Funds were also invested in the reconstruction of the fountain, the Forestry House, the courtyard and the tower of the castle, and in the complete replacement of the roof timberwork and tiling.

The most recent reconstruction involves a new roof for the Cock Hangman's House, including a completely new weathercock.

 

Most of the castle premises are available for use for cultural and social events, including wedding ceremonies. During the summer months various historical and cultural events are held here. An overview of events for the current season can be found on our website.