- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 13th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Hradec Králové, Czechia
- Style
- Gothic architecture
- Visiting
- probably – Wikidata lists it as a museum or gives tickets, opening hours or visitor numbers; check before you go
- Coordinates
- 50.4903°, 15.1350°
History
The castle was built in the first half of the 14th century by the lords of Wartenberg; in 1349 Beneš of Wartenberg first styled himself "of Kost". Early in the 15th century Kost passed to the Zajíc of Hazmburk family, and during the Hussite Wars it was a Catholic stronghold. In 1497 it was bought by Jan of Šelmberk, and in the first half of the 16th century the Šelmberks and Biberštejns enlarged it in late Gothic and Renaissance style, adding new residential wings. Under the Lobkowiczs service buildings went up below the castle, but it ceased to be the owners' seat. The Černíns bought it in 1637, and from 1738 it belonged to the Netolický of Eisenberg family. Because it was never converted into a modern residence, Kost kept its medieval character. Nationalised in 1945, it was returned in 1992 to Giovanni Kinský dal Borgo, son of the last owner from the Netolický family.
What to see
The castle rises from a sandstone block above fishponds, crowned by the massive White Tower built on a trapezoidal plan. Tours take in Gothic halls, a chapel with old sculptures and paintings, and a former torture chamber. Around it run trails through the Plakánek and Prokop valleys, winding between the rocks of the Bohemian Paradise.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q1012726
Popularity: articles about this site in 17 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).