This castle was founded at the confl uence of the Volyňka and Otava Rivers in 1220-1235 by the noble family of Bavor. In 1243, Bavor I gave the eastern part of the castle to the Order of Saint John who established commandries there. The Order of Saint John, currently known as the “Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order” acquired the entire castle at the beginning of the 15th century. The oldest part of the castle, the Church of St. Prokop and the Rumpál Tower bear Gothic remnants. The Renaissance aff ected the construction of the Jelenka tower, and the front of the Eastern part, the chateau, was modified in Classicist style. Since 1958, the castle has been protected as a Cultural Monument of the Czech Republic. It houses the Museum of the Central Otava Region with its exhibitions about the Strakonice area. The chapter hall with its cloister is one of the oldest preserved parts of the castle, and the black kitchen is also accessible for a visit. The Municipal Information Center of Strakonice is housed in the castle premises. The historical halls are used for exhibitions, presentations, and cultural events. A small castle safari was established in the moat of the southwestern part of the castle where dwarfed goats, sheep, ponies and other animals play for the entertainment of younger visitors.
Attraction:
Every even year, the famous International Bagpipe Festival is held in the Strakonice Castle premises.