Švihov - water Castle
The Švihov Water Castle has a unique place among fortification structures. The castle was built at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries on the site of a former fortress with the participation of the builder Benedikt Rejt. The core of the castle consists of two residential wings, which enclose an internal regular courtyard. A pre-castle fortified with bastions and surrounded by another moat, which, together with several adjacent ponds, formed an artificial island. Švihov with its fortification water system was one of the best fortresses of its time. The interiors give visitors a closer look at life in the castle in the 16th century. Gothic sculptures are placed in the chapel, a painted Renaissance coffered ceiling is installed in the ballroom, and the castle armory is part of the tour. In the exhibition hall there are periodical historical expositions.
Source: Castles and Chateaux of Western Bohemia, Memorial Institute in Pilsen
Like all castles, Švihov has various legends. The most famous one is probably about Mr. Půt.
Did the devil take Švihovský's Trail?
One day, a young girl came to beg Mr. Půta to marry a boy from the neighboring estate. But that was forbidden at the time. However, Půta expelled her from the castle, so she went to his worthy wife Bohunka to intercede for her with Půta. However, Půta found out and had the girl walled up alive in the castle cellars. When he was about to extend his hand to his wife Bohunka, the devil flew in and took him to hell. Since then, Půta appears at night in Švihov as a fire lord and punishes everyone he meets with his fiery reprimands. It is said that only Mrs. Bohunka can free him from the curse, who also did not find peace after her death and walks around the castle as a black lady. They have to dismantle the entire castle - stone by stone, and then return them to the places from which they were quarried to build the castle. But since the castle is still standing today, Mrs. Bohunca has not yet succeeded and wanders in its dark corridors to this day.
Source: Běleč microregion, published by Mikroregion Běleč, 2013.
Source: Castles and Chateaux of Western Bohemia, Memorial Institute in Pilsen
Like all castles, Švihov has various legends. The most famous one is probably about Mr. Půt.
Did the devil take Švihovský's Trail?
One day, a young girl came to beg Mr. Půta to marry a boy from the neighboring estate. But that was forbidden at the time. However, Půta expelled her from the castle, so she went to his worthy wife Bohunka to intercede for her with Půta. However, Půta found out and had the girl walled up alive in the castle cellars. When he was about to extend his hand to his wife Bohunka, the devil flew in and took him to hell. Since then, Půta appears at night in Švihov as a fire lord and punishes everyone he meets with his fiery reprimands. It is said that only Mrs. Bohunka can free him from the curse, who also did not find peace after her death and walks around the castle as a black lady. They have to dismantle the entire castle - stone by stone, and then return them to the places from which they were quarried to build the castle. But since the castle is still standing today, Mrs. Bohunca has not yet succeeded and wanders in its dark corridors to this day.
Source: Běleč microregion, published by Mikroregion Běleč, 2013.
