Krasíkov

Krasíkov, also known as Švamberk Castle, is a Gothic castle ruin standing above the Krasíkov manor near the village of Kokašice, in the Tachov district of the Plzeň Region. The ruin sits on Krasíkov Hill at an elevation of 636 metres above the Hadovka stream, roughly three kilometres west of Konstantinovy Lázně. Centuries after its violent medieval past, the site now offers a quiet, scenic destination in the borderlands of western Bohemia.

Who built the castle and who owned it?

The castle was founded by the lords of Švamberk in the second half of the 13th century, which is why the site carries their family name alongside Krasíkov. The Švamberk family held the castle almost continuously — apart from a gap between 1544 and 1569 — until the family line died out near the end of the Thirty Years' War. For most of its active life, Krasíkov therefore served as one of the Švamberks' key seats of power in the region.

What happened during the Hussite Wars?

The most dramatic chapter in the castle's history unfolded in 1421, when it was captured by Jan Žižka of Trocnov. During the fighting, Bohuslav of Švamberk was taken prisoner. The following year, with a Hussite garrison holding the castle, Bohuslav's brother Hynek Krušina laid siege to it twice without success — he eventually chose to buy the castle back from the Hussites rather than take it by force. This episode illustrates how strategically important Krasíkov was during the turbulent Hussite period.

What became of the castle afterward?

The following centuries were not kind to the fortress. In 1644 the castle burned down completely, and just three years later, in 1647, it was occupied by troops under the Swedish general Wrangel during the closing stages of the Thirty Years' War. These events effectively ended Krasíkov's role as a functioning stronghold, and from that point on the castle gradually fell into ruin.

What survives today?

The core of the castle today consists mainly of the remains of a palace building and the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. The chapel was built in 1650 on the site of the original castle chapel of St. George, and it received its present form through reconstruction and expansion in 1710. A small bell tower stands beside it. Since 1964, the whole complex has been protected as a cultural monument, which has helped preserve these traces of medieval and early modern architecture.

Why visit Krasíkov?

The ruins are today a popular destination for hikers and cyclists exploring the countryside around Konstantinovy Lázně, an area sometimes referred to as the Bohemian Forest borderland (Český les). The combination of views over the hills of the Tachov district, history stretching back to the Hussite Wars, and the surviving chapel makes the site appealing both to history enthusiasts and to anyone looking for a peaceful vantage point away from busier tourist attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Krasíkov located? The ruin stands on Krasíkov Hill above the Krasíkov manor, near the village of Kokašice in the Tachov district, about three kilometres west of Konstantinovy Lázně.

Who built the castle? It was founded by the lords of Švamberk in the second half of the 13th century, which is why it is also known as Švamberk Castle.

Was the castle involved in the Hussite Wars? Yes — it was captured by Jan Žižka of Trocnov in 1421, and a year later its Hussite garrison withstood two unsuccessful sieges by Hynek Krušina, who eventually bought the castle back instead.

What remains of the original castle? The remains of a palace building and the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, built in 1650 and reconstructed in 1710, along with a small bell tower.

Since when has the site been protected? The castle complex has been listed as a cultural monument since 1964.