Chodský hrad

Chodský hrad is a medieval stronghold in Domažlice, tied closely to the history of the Chods — the guardians of the Czech border with Bavaria. Today its remaining tower and grounds house the Museum of Chodsko, and the tower doubles as a lookout point over the town.

When and why was the castle built?

The castle was founded in the 1260s, around the same time as the town of Domažlice itself, established by King Přemysl Otakar II on cleared land. The location was deliberate: a trade route running through the Všeruby Pass connected Bohemia and Bavaria at this point, and the new market settlement was meant to oversee that traffic. The castle was built to house a royal castellan responsible for guarding the border crossing and the trade route running through it.

What was the Chods' connection to the castle?

The Chods — inhabitants of eleven villages in the Domažlice area — had performed border-guard duties since the Middle Ages: watching over the crossing, securing merchant traffic, and collecting tolls and dues owed to the Bohemian king. Their activity was directed from the castle, where a Chod judge presided and the Chod court convened to settle matters concerning this community. That administrative and guarding role made Chodský hrad the reference point for the entire Chodsko region, not just a local lord's residence.

Why does so little of the original castle survive?

The stronghold never survived in its original defensive form. A major fire in August 1592 badly damaged the buildings, and the castle sat in ruins for decades afterward. It was only in 1671 that the town of Domažlice acquired the property outright, and even then the reconstruction that followed did not restore a fortress. Between 1726 and 1728, the remains were rebuilt into a saltworks, and the surviving tower was raised in height as part of that work. The completion year, 1728, is still recorded on the weathervane crowning the tower's three-tiered dome.

What is left to see today?

Of the original medieval castle — the seat of the royal castellan and the Chod court — essentially only a slender, cylindrical tower remains, known as the castle tower (Hrádecká/Chodská věž). Shaped by the 18th-century rebuild, it is the structure that gives the site its recognizable silhouette, visible from across town. The former castle buildings now house the Museum of Chodsko, dedicated to the history and culture of the region, while the tower itself is open as a viewing point over Domažlice and the surrounding hills.

How should visitors plan a visit?

Chodský hrad sits right in the historic center of Domažlice, making it an easy add-on to a walk around the main square and its burgher houses. Climbing the tower means narrow, winding stairs, worth bearing in mind for anyone travelling with small children or with mobility concerns. Since the site now operates as a museum, access follows the exhibition's opening hours, so it is worth checking the current schedule with the museum before visiting.

Frequently asked questions

Was Chodský hrad a noble residence? No — it functioned as the seat of a royal castellan and as the administrative center for border guarding, tied to the duties performed by the Chods rather than to a noble family.

Why did only the tower survive? A fire in 1592 destroyed most of the buildings, and the 18th-century rebuild converted the ruins into a saltworks rather than restoring the original fortress, leaving only the tower standing.

What can visitors see there now? The Museum of Chodsko, covering the region's history and culture, along with the castle tower, which is open to visitors as a lookout point.

Does the tower offer views over the town? Yes, the tower serves as a viewpoint overlooking Domažlice and the surrounding countryside.