Rychmburk

Rychmburk is a Gothic castle rising above the village of Předhradí in the Pardubice Region of eastern Czech Republic, close to the small town of Skuteč. Perched on a rocky spur over the Krounka river and the Lešanský stream, it has kept watch over this stretch of countryside for roughly seven centuries.

Where exactly is Rychmburk located?

The castle sits about 5 km east of Skuteč, directly above the village of Předhradí in the Pardubice Region of eastern Bohemia. Its coordinates are 49.8358 N, 16.0424 E. The village name itself — Předhradí, meaning "the outer bailey" or "before the castle" — points straight back to its origin as a settlement grown up beside the fortress.

When was the castle built, and by whom?

Rychmburk's construction is generally dated to the first quarter of the 14th century, though the site itself may have older, 13th-century roots. The founder was Tas of Mrdice, and by the close of the 14th century the castle had passed to Smil Flaška of Pardubice, a nobleman remembered today as one of medieval Bohemia's notable literary figures. Built on a high promontory above the river valley, the site offered the natural defensive advantages typical of castles raised in this part of eastern Bohemia at the time.

How did the castle fare during the Hussite Wars?

In 1425 Rychmburk was captured by Hussite forces, a fate shared by many Bohemian strongholds of the period, particularly those tied to Catholic noble families. Unlike some castles that never recovered from Hussite sieges, Rychmburk survived, was repaired, and continued to be inhabited and used for centuries afterward.

Which noble families owned Rychmburk?

The list of owners reads like a roll call of major Bohemian aristocratic houses. After the Lords of Pardubice and the Flaška family, the castle passed through the hands of the Berka family, the Kinsky family, and later the Thurn und Taxis family. In the first half of the 16th century, under Henry the Fortunate of Wallenstein, the castle was enlarged with late Gothic additions that reshaped much of its architecture.

What happened to the castle in later centuries?

By the mid-18th century Rychmburk had fallen into disrepair — its roofs were gone and the upper-storey walls had suffered serious damage. Restoration came under the Kinsky family: during the rule of Philip Kinsky, the neglected building was repaired to serve as a noble residence and for administrative purposes, and all of the castle's wings were given matching hip roofs. This renovation gave Rychmburk much of the appearance it retains today.

What is Rychmburk used for today?

For decades, until 2021, the castle building served as a social care facility and was closed to visitors. In 2021 it was taken over by the Chrudim Regional Museum, which reopened it to the public after seventy years of inaccessibility. Since then Rychmburk has been steadily developing into a regional tourist attraction, pairing its defensive architecture with the layered story of the noble families who once called it home.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rychmburk Castle located? Rychmburk stands above the village of Předhradí in the Pardubice Region of eastern Czech Republic, about 5 km from Skuteč.

When was Rychmburk Castle built? It was built in the first quarter of the 14th century by Tas of Mrdice, though the site may have been in use as early as the 13th century.

Can visitors tour Rychmburk Castle today? Yes. After years as a social care facility, the castle was taken over by the Chrudim Regional Museum in 2021 and opened to the public.

Which families owned Rychmburk over the centuries? Owners included the Lords of Pardubice, Smil Flaška of Pardubice, the Berka family, the Wallenstein (Valdštejn) family, the Kinsky family, and the Thurn und Taxis family.