Castles & ruins 9: Hazmburk, CZ

 

Fort Klapy, later Hazmburk, was build on the 418m high hill around 8 century – according to the chronicles (by Dalimil or by Václav Hájek z Libočan), although there is no archeological support for it. Existing ruins could be dated back to 13^th century and look like military post rather than castle, there are no traces of palace or some bigger representation building there. Most probably there even was no building for permanent living of some noble – only common places like barracks, stables and such. Looks like Hazmburk mainly served as army base and two towers with wide view over the country confirm that.

Nevertheless, the fort was strategically important and was never taken over by any army, not even by Husits who took over the land around.

The name Hazmburk fort got from its owner since year 1335: Zbynek Zaic (in German “der Hase”). Zaic was important person in Czech state, king's cupbearer and owner of several strategic castles in Bohemia. Family never lived in Hazmburk having much more comfortable estates, and with years passing the fort get abandoned.

The mighty ruins however have many legends, for example it is said that in certain days you can get into fort wine cellars and will be lucky to taste the best wine there. But there are three old guys in the cellar – who would count your drinks and give you more as long as you will keep the whole affair secret. The moment you tell someone about the wine – you will get mad and die soon. Actually there are several such cases reported in towns chronicles, and citizens mentioned in these reports in fact got mad and die after admitting their wine trips to Hazmburk cellars.

There is – of course – the love story too: when Lucie, the daughter of fearsome Jan Zaic, was at the marriage age father organised great knight tournament to choose the best husband. He already wanted his daughter to be Saxon Kurfirst wife, he was the star of the tournament, rich and powerful man. His armor was most decorated, his skill - the best, but Lucie could not get her eyes off a young knight in simple armour who was as skillful as the Saxon. At their duel kurfirst was hit and fall from his horse and young knight offered to Lucie his tournament victory and his heart. Zaic could not reject the winner but as well could not give his daughter to the poor local knight, so he said that youngster will get his daughter only if he will bring a live dragon to the castle. Young man promised to come back with the dragon as soon as possible and left the same night. Lucie was waiting for him for years, declining any marriage proposals but at the seventh year she died from grief and sadness, true to her lover. Zaic ordered to bury her at Hazmburk, where she was waiting for her knight, and left the cursed castle. In few years there was a stranger at the castle gates and behind him there was a real live dragon: the knight returned for his love. The castle guards were shocked by his appearance as no young knight stand in front of them but weathered warrior with the beast. They let him in and brought him to the Lucie' grave – poor knight was sitting at her tomb for seven nights and at the eighth day guards found him dead there. The dragon was with him but beast did not eat or drink after his master died and soon was dead too.

Since then the ghost of young Lucie could be seen at the castle at full moon: she walks from tower to tower looking for her knight, when she goes through the castle blood is dropping from her hands and every drop turns into red flower.

https://hrad-hazmburk.cz

From above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiq0ENFm4dA