Last weekend I had a chance to walk to the castle Špilberk in Brno. It was a nice trip and I enjoyed the view from the top of the castle.
Špilberk Castle was founded in the second half of the 13th century by Czech King Přemysl Otakar II. An important moment of the castle occurred during the Thirty Years' War together with the military occupation by the Swedish army. In 1645, Brno and Špilberk, under the command of Colonel Raduit de Souches, withstood the three-month conquest of multiple Swedish odds.
Legend has it that it is from this time that ringing on Petrov Cathedral already in the 11:00 because the Swedes have been conquering Brno for a long time and General Torstenson commanded it was the goal to conquer it on a specific day by noon ringing, otherwise the Swedes pull away. This order was said to have been brought to the Brno people and someone had thought to start ringing noon an hour earlier, after which General Torstenson decided to quit the occupation.
In Špilberk castle, in the past, robbers of their time, such as Václav Babinský or Baron Trenck, were imprisoned in the underground casemates there. It was Baron Trenck who was originally a renowned Colonel of Pandurs in the service of Maria Theresa and helped her in the war against France and Prussia. He was imprisoned for his cruel methods and disrespect of the law, which was forgiven by him at first and overlooked by Maria Theresa.
As you can see in those photos, the park next to the Špilberk Castle can be walked on many trails. And it's almost in the city center!
Many visitors like the walk to the hill, where they can then visit the Špilberk castle, the prison casemates, lookout tower or just have a cake and the drink at the castle restaurant.
Also citizens of Brno like to visit Špilberk and he park also. This place is very close from the city center and so you can meet many of them jogging, walking or dating. Or just to read a book in the silent place.
I hope you enjoyed the trip to the Špilberk castle as I did.