Gutštejn
castle is known since 14th century, it was a property of rich
and greedy family of Gutsteins. Family was ravenous to get anything
(or even better – everything) from their own subjects, nearest
monasteries, traveling traders and so on. With time Gutstejn become
too small to keep all the gains of the greedy family and they move to
their more spacious property in Chyše.
Gutstejn
castle was abandoned but not forgotten: hidden in the woods, not far
from the main road from Bohemia to German lands, defended by two
walls the castle was perfect nest for robbers.
Although
there is no own water source in the castle right next to it is river
Mlze, to which two underground tunnels were dig, so you might not be
in best position for long siege but for smugglers and sneaky thieves
it is about right. In different times there were bands of all kinds
of criminals: from defrocked monks to knights raiders.
The
most famous among them is Hans Toman from Absberk: his crimes fill
long lists in archives of Prague and Nurnberg. Hans didn't fill up
storages and vaults of Gutstejn with wealth though – he squandered
the loot faster than he could rob. His favorite way to get money was
kidnapping wealthy people.
He used ancient sacrificial stone near the
castle (probably Celtic) to cut off his victims hands and sent them
to the relatives to make them sent money faster. The stone by the way
could be seen today too: it has special grooves for blood flow cut,
useful thing for sacrifices.
Hans
ended up without glory – he was sold out by his own flock because
there was prize for his head (nothing attached) of 8000 gold pieces.
In
17thcentury there was purge against bands and free knights and the
castle comes to its final darkness. Now it is partially restored (or
rather kept from totally falling apart) and open for public for free.
It
is said that up on the castle tower lives old wise owl, who remembers
everything from the beginning of time. If you would manage to get to
her nest you might receive this ability to remember everything – if
the owl would like you of course.from above: Gutstejn from above
castle web
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