Castles & ruins 1: Valdek, CZ

 

Castle Valdek was one „link“ in the chain of castles defending road from Prague to German lands. Most probably was built in 13^th century by ancestors of Zaic family.

First written sources tell that in year 1315 the castle belonged to Wilhelmus dictus Lepus de Waldek (Vil Zaic from Valdek), who was Marshall of Czech crown and close person to the king Jan from Luxemburg, moreover Vil Zaic was mentor of Jan' son – Vaclav.

There is a legend about one of the Zaic family members who was kidnapped from the castle by some extraordinary powers: it is said that he was met by two  strange beings who put him into bright sphere and brought him into the forest. Then a shining woman come to bewildered Zaic and ordered him to build a monastery at the place. Then all of them disappeared and shocked Zaic came back to the castle, where everyone was surprised by his arrival as no one seen him leave. Zaic then build the monastery, and the church, and the chapel (well – for just in case, you never know) and the event itself was written down to family chronicles. 

Vil Zaic himself had 6 sons (two of them had same name – Vil, maybe one was to spare or what) and after his death, of course, the great estate was divided, the family dwindled, the castle run down to lesser nobles and then to the crown.

Later on the castle was taken by Husits, burned down, repaired by crown but in all the historic turmoil lost its meaning and was reported as abandoned in 17th century. 

If you wish to see it from above: Valdek

from my channel: https://t.me/castles_and_ruins