Radyne Castle

Radyne Castle - Hrad Radyně, Stary Plzenec, Plzen Region, Czech Republic.

Radyně Royal Castle was built between 1356 and 1361 during the reign of the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. The castle was named *Karlskrone* in the Emperor's honor. However, the original name *Karlskrone* did not catch on in the Czech lands; following the death of Charles IV, the castle came to be known as Radyně, taking its name from the hill and the quartzite rock formation upon which it was built. The castle’s builder was most likely Michal Parléř, a member of the family of the Prague court architect Peter Parléř. The construction was organized by Vít Hedvábný. The castle administrators—or burgraves—were usually drawn from the ranks of the minor nobility of the Plzeň region. Their duties included monitoring and ensuring the security of the trade route running from Nuremberg through Regensburg to Prague, and exercising judicial authority over the monarch's direct subjects; they likely also held the power to try and execute criminals. The first royal burgrave was likely Zdislav Chlup—who had successfully overseen the castle's construction—appointed to the post as a reward. The last was likely the captain Racek; it was during his tenure, around the mid-16th century, that the castle burned down. In subsequent years, the castle was successively owned by the following noble families: the Lords of Šternberk (1496–1561), the Kokořovec family of Kokořov (1561–1710), the Černín family of Chudenice (1710–1816), and the Wallenstein family (1816–1920). In 1920, the municipality of Starý Plzenec purchased the castle and the surrounding forests from the Wallenstein family. The newly established Association for the Preservation of Radyně and Hůrka took charge of the castle. Currently, the castle is managed by the town of Starý Plzenec and has undergone gradual renovation over the past few years.
The ruins of Radyně Castle, situated at an elevation of 567 meters above sea level, dominate the surrounding landscape by day and night (the site was illuminated from 2006 to 2020). It is a distinctive landmark of the entire Plzeň region.
Exhibitions in the Tower
The interior of the castle tower houses several thematic exhibitions that guide visitors through the history of Radyně Castle and life in the Middle Ages.
The first floor is dedicated to medieval cuisine and dining. In the dining area, visitors can view a set table amidst furnishings inspired by medieval carpentry and joinery. The kitchen display features period cookware, cooking utensils, and the ingredients used to prepare medieval dishes. The exhibition also includes examples of beverages that would have graced the tables of our ancestors.
The second floor covers the history of Radyně Castle from the Hussite Wars to the present day. Information panels are complemented by historical artifacts linked not only to the castle but also to the town of Starý Plzenec and its surroundings.
The third floor takes you back to the castle’s heyday—the era of Charles IV, who founded Radyně. The exhibition displays artifacts related to his reign, a model of the castle at its peak, and information about other castles founded by Charles IV. It also features an overview of the coats of arms of the castle's owners from its founding to the present day. All floors are equipped with small information panels—illustrated with medieval illuminations—that shed light on everyday life in the Middle Ages.
The top floor features an observation deck offering a unique panoramic view of the entire central Plzeň region.
The castle tower stands 22 meters tall, and a flight of 114 steps leads to its summit.