Landštejn Castle

The origins of Landštejn Castle date back to at least 1222, when it was built to secure the turbulent Bohemian-Austrian border. King Ottokar I Přemysl was probably the initiator of this construction, strategically located opposite an older castle of the same name belonging to the Austrian Zöbingers. An important trade route connecting Bohemia with Austria and Italy ran through the valley between the two castles. In 1231, the first castle administrator, Hartlieb of Landstein, was documented. After 1251, when Ottokar II Přemysl became Duke of Austria, the border lost its significance. The Witigonen, especially the Landstein branch of the family, acquired the castle and dominion. In 1282, Sezima of Wittingau was the owner, and in 1315, ownership passed to Wilhelm of Landstein, one of the most significant proprietors. After the death of his son Litold around 1381, Landstein reverted to King Wenceslaus IV, who then granted it to Konrad Kraiger von Kraigk. Under the Kraiger von Kraigk, the castle was rebuilt and expanded in the Renaissance style in the 16th century. In 1579, Anna von Roupov sold the castle to Stephan von Einzing, who in turn sold it to David Neumayer in 1599. During the Thirty Years' War, after an initial unsuccessful siege by Heinrich von Dampierre, the castle was finally captured by Karl Bucquoy. After the Battle of White Mountain, Gottfried Neumayer lost his property. Over the centuries, ownership changed hands several times, including Maximilian Mohr von Lichtenegg, the Kuen von Belasy, and Humprecht Jan Czernin von Chudenitz. In 1685, Ferdinand von Herberstein acquired the castle. A devastating lightning strike in 1771 destroyed the castle by fire, after which it remained uninhabited and served as a quarry. The last owners were the Sternbach family, who were dispossessed in 1945. From 1972, stabilization measures and extensive reconstruction began, making the castle accessible to the public again since 1990.

Landštejn Castle ruin is situated at an elevation of approximately 632 m above sea level in Staré Město pod Landštejnem, in the Jihočeský kraj (South Bohemia) district, within the Jihozápad (Southwest) region of the Czech Republic.

Today, the Landštejn Castle ruin is open to visitors. Of the once large complex, the main wall with two towers and the Romanesque chapel remain, offering an insight into medieval architecture.

• Schloss Großtaxen (Castle), approx. 9.2 km away
• Schloss Illmau (Castle), approx. 9.9 km away
• Schloss Gilgenberg (Castle), approx. 12.2 km away
• Schloss Dobersberg (Castle), approx. 13.7 km away