Žebrák Castle

This state castle complex, which is now administered by the National Heritage Institute and is open to the public, was founded in the second half of the thirteenth century as a noble seat. In 1336, it was acquired by King John the Blind, after which it became an important royal residence, particularly favored by Wenceslaus the Fourth. He had the originally small castle rebuilt into a luxurious seat, but its importance began to decline at the end of the fourteenth century after the founding of the neighboring Točník. During the Hussite Wars, Žebrák twice withstood sieges successfully and subsequently underwent a modernization of its defense system, but it was maintained only until the end of the fifteenth century. After the devastating fire in 1532, no one ever restored the castle, and the structure gradually turned into the ruin we see today.