Jon Searles' photos with the keyword: Zvikov

In this photo, Hrad Zvikov is only visible in the distance, but I liked this photo generally so I still included it in this collection. The castle was built in the 13th Century during the reign of Otakar I, and I've put a more thorough description for Picture 3.

In this photo, the castle is only barely visible behind the trees, although the docks for the tourist boats (seen elsewhere in this collection), are visible on the water. For a more complete history of the castle, see the description for Picture 3.

This is more of a closeup of Hrad Zvikov. For a more complete history of the castle, see the description for Picture 3.

Hrad Zvikov, like Zamek Orlik, was originally on a hill, but the high water level of the Orlik reservoir has made it more accessible from all directions. Today, it's on more of a peninsula than a mountain. The first mention of Hrad Zvikov dates to 1234, and it is thought to have been built on the orders of king Otokar I, as it was an official royal castle, and not one owned by a local noble. However, from 1306, it became the property of the Rosenberg family, and was passed through various owners until it returned to government ownership in 1947, on the eve of the Communist coup the following year. It remained in government ownership after the fall of Communism in 1989 (as far as I have been able to determine), and today is maintained as a tourist attraction. This is the most complete view I was able to get of the castle.