Zvíkov Castle, founded by Václav I on an older Celtic sacrificial site, is chiefly the work of the royal building workshop under Přemysl Otakar II. Among its oldest parts is the so-called Hlízová Tower, whose blocks bear bizarre masons' marks. Folk imagination saw them as mysterious writing. The tower was formerly called Markomanka, as people believed it had been built by Romans or their northern neighbours, the Germanic Marcomanni. Almost every block bears a rune-like mark, some repeated on the palace walls. Legend says the Templars had a seat or monastery here. Large Gothic wall paintings survive in the castle chapel, including an image of St Christopher.
Location and map
- Place
- Zvíkov- Hrad
- Municipality / starting point
- Zvíkov
- District / region
- Písek
- Country
- Czechia
- Distance and direction
- 15 km N of Písku
Zvíkov Castle, founded by Václav I on an older Celtic sacrificial site, is chiefly the work of the royal building workshop under Přemysl Otakar II. Among its oldest parts is the so-called Hlízová Tower, whose blocks bear bizarre masons' marks. Folk imagination saw them as mysterious writing. The tower was formerly called Markomanka, as people believed it…
The link searches for Zvíkov and its surroundings. The sources do not establish the precise point of this legend.
Approximate location · municipality or area search. The distance comes from the sources, not a currently calculated route.
Sources of the original atlas Tajemná místa · page 384
This legend preserves a folk tale. Its motifs do not constitute evidence of supernatural events.