Castles & ruins 19: Okoř, CZ

 

Okor castle was built around mid-13 century by Prague burgher Frána Rokycaner (František Rokycanský) – according to the written sources. By archeological research we know the castle or some kind of stone fort was there much earlier but because of the extensive construction of medieval castle it is hard to say anything certain.


Townies” try hard to follow noble people of the time and having more money they usually built outstanding properties, Okor castle is such example.


In 30year war castle was almost destroyed but Jesuit Order  which took over ownership reconstructed it and made few additions to return the castle former comfort and strength. When emperor Joseph II expelled the order in 1773 the castle was abandoned and ruined until 1921 when state took over. Today it remains in state property and open to public.


Although castle was not in any knight or nobleman ownership, it has a few legends too: for example one about beautiful Juliana. She was the owner' daughter and proud father was very particular when it come the time for marriage: he organised knights tournaments, invited rich and powerful people to the fests and so on – for his daughter he thought deserves the best man in the country. 



But Juliana was not impressed by valor or wealth of any suitor. The father was apprehensive so much he call for all kinds of doctors and magicians but no helpful advise come from this bunch. 



Then one of the old women – some kind of witch almost, told him there is no secret in Juliana' behavior: she doesn't want any man because she already has one. Irate father secretly followed his daughter day and night and soon find out that indeed she does have a lover – and whom! The millers boy who had nothing: neither pedigree nor riches. The father locked his daughter into tower and told her she will not get out of there ever if she will not marry some proper groom. 



When the miller boy learnt what happened, he come to the castle by night, sneaked through all the guards, crawl up on the tower and broke the window to pick up his love and rescue her from the prison. So youngsters run away but not far: when the father find out they escaped, he jumped on the horse himself and sent hunters in all directions to follow the lovers. Soon enough he himself chased them down and in his anger killed both of them at the spot.


This is not the only legend of cruel destiny: many years later yet another castle owners daughter Barbora
was killed nearby. Officially she fell from the horse at nearest rocks but everyone knows it was staged. 


This Barbora though was cruel and brutal to the people so noone was saddened by her death. Little did they know she will be bothering them after death too: at the cemetery where she was buried strange things started to happen: crosses falling, grave plates cracking, people hear baby crying and saw strange green lights at night over the cemetery. Did Barbora tortured her new neighbors or was she trying to get living scared to death – noone knew, but this is going on till today.



From above:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KI13uRksu0



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