Hrad Špilberk
Visitors who come for a trip to Brno, which is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, will soon catch sight of not only the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul but also hrad Špilberk, known in the Brno hantec dialect as Špilas, which towers on one of the high hills above the city center. This fortress is located in the territory of the Brno-mid district, making it easily accessible on foot. Visitors simply need to disembark at the Husova, Česká, or Pekařská stations. Routes here also lead from the stops at Úvoz and Obilní trh. In the event that a walk through the hilly park is not appealing, visitors can also make use of the special municipal line number 80, which will transport visitors right up to one of the castle gates.
he history of the castle dates back to the 13th century, when it was commissioned to be built by the Czech king and Margrave of Moravia, Ottokar II of Bohemia. The main objective of constructing the castle was to provide support for the monarch's power and to establish a dignified seat in Moravia. An interesting fact is that it received its name from the original designation of the hill from which it looks down upon Brno. Surprisingly, however, Czech monarchs did not find pleasure in staying at the castle and visited it rather sporadically. Consequently, Moravian margraves gradually settled in the castle during the 14th century, which included figures such as the popular Jobst of Moravia.
A Baroque Fortress, the Prison of Nations, and a Museum
Špilberk made a much more pronounced mark on history by transforming into an almost impregnable fortress that played an important role during the Thirty Years' War. The fortifications of the complex were improved by Colonel Raduit de Souches, thanks to which the city's defense survived a three-month siege by the Swedes. This was so despite the fact that the foreign army significantly outnumbered Brno's defenders. Given that this was a significant historical moment associated with the ringing of noon at Petrov at 11:00 AM, the victory of the people of Brno is regularly commemorated during an event called Brno Day. This takes place every year in August and offers visitors a truly wide-ranging program. During its course, a costumed Swedish army marches through the city along with the prepared defenders. At selected locations, reconstructions of parts of the battle then take place, which are complemented for the public by a more detailed commentary. Until the middle of the 18th century, further modifications of the castle into a massive fortress took place, which transformed Brno into a perfectly protected territory.
However, the evolution of the castle did not stop even thereafter; part of it also included a much-feared prison, which was sometimes also called the Prison of Nations. Among the best-known prisoners who are still remembered is, for example, the pandur colonel Baron Trenck. And optionally also the well-known bandit Babinský. Among prominent European personalities, the Italian poet Silvio Pellico was also imprisoned here, who wrote a book about his experience titled My Prisons. The hardest criminals who were sentenced to life imprisonment were often placed in the worst castle dungeons. Following the departure of the army garrison in 1959, Špilberk was then gradually transformed into the Brno City Museum.
Špilberk from Casemates to the Tower
The outdoor parts of the castle are publicly accessible. Visitors can thus walk along the outdoor bastions, from which there is a magnificent panoramic view of the city. In one of the castle courtyards, visitors will certainly also be captivated by the carillon, which plays one of 32 melodies every hour from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The park that surrounds the castle is also very popular, as it has been complemented by a romantic waterfall and observation gazebos. Those who are not afraid can also take a look at the aforementioned casemates, in which criminals were imprisoned. A unique spectacle is also offered by the so-called Temple of Stone, which leads visitors into the restored water reservoirs. The view of the city from the castle tower is also very attractive, which visitors can likewise climb during visiting hours.
And that is definitely not yet everything that visitors can undertake during a visit to Špilberk. The sightseeing tours are very nice, the routes of which lead, for example, into the Royal Chapel. There are also several permanent exhibitions located here, among which are Brno: The Prison of Nations, From Castle to Fortress, Brno on Špilberk, which also maps the oldest history of the city, and New Brno - Brno Interwar Architecture. The Brno City Gallery further offers an interesting program with a gallery of old art, modern art, and contemporary art. Various social and cultural events also take place within the castle grounds throughout the year. This turns a place that was long feared into a popular tourist destination that will always surprise visitors with something.
Are visitors planning to find accommodation near hrad Špilberk? Visitors can try out Brno hotels, guesthouses, or apartments, which are also suitable for long-term rentals. This certainly comes in handy, all the more so since visitors should also visit other significant attractions in the city. These include, for example, the dragon at the Old Town Hall, accompanied by the wheel from the legend. Many people also go to catch a glass sphere in the ultra-modern Brno Astronomical Clock at 11:00 AM. Visitors are looked forward to!
