Mokrosuky Castle

Mokrosuky Castle stands in the village of Mokrosuky, Klatovy District, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic, roughly 17 km southeast of Klatovy.

How did the castle come about?

The village of Mokrosuky is first documented in 1418, though the settlement had belonged to the Velhartice estate since the fourteenth century. A fortified stronghold stood on the site for generations before a major transformation took place. In 1579, Volf Gothard of Perglas rebuilt the old fortification into a two-wing Renaissance castle with arcaded galleries, and the facades were finished with sgraffito decoration.

Who owned the estate over the centuries?

Ownership of Mokrosuky changed hands repeatedly. Among the families who held it were the Perglárs of Perglas, the Račíns of Račín, and the Althans. The Perglár family's fortunes were tied to turbulent national events: Václav Otakar Perglár took part in the Bohemian Revolt of 1618-1620, and in 1623 was sentenced to forfeit his property, though he was later pardoned. During this period, soldiers under Baltasar Marradas were garrisoned at Mokrosuky, their pay drawn from the estate's revenues.

From 1670, the indebted estate was managed by Countess Apolena Lidmila Althannová, daughter of Humprecht Račín. In 1679 she passed it to her brother, Ernst Adalbert Račín, who attached Mokrosuky to the Hrádeč domain. The two estates remained linked until serfdom was abolished.

What does the castle look like today?

The building is a single-storey, two-wing structure with a pitched roof, decorative gables, and open arcaded corridors. Inside, original ribbed cross-vaults have survived, and traces of the Renaissance-era sgraffito are still visible on the exterior - direct evidence of the 1579 rebuilding.

What can visitors see inside?

The castle now houses an unusual attraction: an open museum of historical fencing with an interactive armoury. On display are replica edged weapons and armour spanning antiquity through to the modern era. It is a destination geared toward anyone curious about arms and combat history rather than purely residential architecture - visitors can get close to pieces that are usually kept behind glass in larger institutions.

Set in a quiet village in the Bohemian Forest Foothills, Mokrosuky pairs well with a wider tour of historic sites across the Klatovy region.

Frequently asked questions

When was Mokrosuky Castle built? A fortified stronghold already existed here in the fourteenth century, but the castle took its present Renaissance form in 1579, when Volf Gothard of Perglas ordered its rebuilding.

Who owned the castle? Notable owners included the Perglárs of Perglas, the Račíns of Račín, and the Althan family. From 1679 the estate was linked to the Hrádeč domain.

What can visitors see at the castle today? The castle hosts an open museum of historical fencing with an interactive armoury displaying replica edged weapons and armour from antiquity to the present day.

Have any original features survived? Yes - the interior retains original ribbed cross-vaults, and traces of Renaissance sgraffito from the 1579 rebuilding are still visible on the facade.