Castles & ruins 13: Houska, CZ

Small and inconspicuous Czech castle Houska (Bun) was opened for public not so long time ago: in 1999. Before that it was not just closed but seriously classified and it does not come back to soviet era or fascist Germany but for the entire castle history.

According to the legend, the castle was build by warlord Slavibor of the pšovane Slavic tribe, it was built for his son – Houska around 9 century. All was fine until one day the ground under the castle cracked, fire burst out with huge fountains of lava and brimstone, but what was totally horrid – the hell monsters crawled from the exploded earth. Houska and his men despite the dread and fear defended the castle bravely and even though most of them were killed by infernal beasts, they manage to drive away those creatures back into abyss and block the hole with rocks. The monsters still managed to squeeze through the gaps, so help was called and more armies and heroes hunted evil all over the country.

As for the castle it was decided to build stone fort on its place and keep guards there at all times because the hole to the netherworld could not be covered entirely.

In reality the castle does raise lots of questions: it never belonged to anyone for long, the place is absolutely unsuitable for the castle: it is far away from any trade road, river or borders, it is not on the hill to protect surrounding areas – it is in the middle of nowhere and having stronghold here makes no sense at all. The castle does not have own water source – rain water was collected; and archeologist did not find any traces of medieval kitchen there. Nevertheless, it is known that there always was a serious garrison of armed men at Houska all the time. Besides, every castle owner was a high rank military or state person, it never was under lesser nobles.

The castle structure is strange as well: it is build as rectangle with wide court inside, similar to prisons, all its defense directed inside, not outside as with other castles. So whom or what did they guard there?

Interesting that later on in modern times uranium was mined next to the castle. Czechoslovakia state once tried to convert the old castle into the hotel and started to drill for water but found out that all the water there contains way to much radon than is healthy so castle was never used.

What is even more interesting that before that, under fascist occupation the castle was used by SS as a library for mystic books and not just the castle – the whole area around was closed for everyone except people directly employed there. Why SS even knew about small old castle and what they were doing there is still unknown. But until today archeologists cannot get into underground areas of the castle because they are filled up with concrete during WWII for whatever reason.

Anywho the castle reputation is still dark. Current owners restored the castle and opened it not only for tourists but for all kinds of “researchers” incl. “paranormal specialists” of all levels. You can find lots of tiktoks and youtube videos with their crap. There were several radiation tests done – all confirmed that it is normal, so.....

When I was there I had no special feelings or headaches as many visitors claim and my doggo behave normal too although castle guide says many animals are stressed around the castle and especially inside. I'd say if they were – they most probably copied their hysterical owners more than were being scared by themselves.