Hrad Bítov
Landmark · Bítov · Czechia
Checked
One of Moravia's oldest and largest castles, its neo-Gothic towers crown a rocky promontory above the Vranov Reservoir where the Zeletavka meets the Dyje. First built in the 11th century and reshaped over centuries by the Lichtenburg, Jankovsky and Daun families, it holds a historic armoury and, oddly, the world's largest collection of stuffed dogs.
Bitov castle rises on a rocky promontory where the Zeletavka river meets the Dyje, now flooded to form the Vranov Reservoir, one of the oldest and largest castles in Moravia, first mentioned in the 1060s. It began as a Slavic fortified settlement before the Lichtenburg family took it over in 1307 and built the stone fortifications and towers that still define its shape. The Jankovsky of Vlasim family held it through the 17th century and assembled an armoury of guns, swords and lances that still fills the arsenal today, its core built up from 16th and 17th century artisan work. The Daun family owned the castle from 1755 to 1904 and gave it the neo-Gothic appearance it wears now, its white walls and red roofs visible above the water from the reservoir shore. Two Daun brothers who traveled widely brought back a private natural history collection that includes what is still recorded as the largest collection of stuffed dogs in the world, fifty of them. Catherine of Lemberg, the last heir of the Zrinsky family, later added her own family weapons collection and library to the castle's holdings.
What you see
The castle's neo-Gothic towers and pale walls follow the top of a rock cliff above the Vranov Reservoir, with paths near the outer gate leading to viewpoints over the river canyon toward Hardegg castle across the Austrian border.
Practical
Open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays: May, June and September 9am to 5pm, July and August 9am to 6pm, April and October weekends and public holidays only 9am to 4pm. An asphalt access road reaches the castle, making it rideable by bike.
castleviewpointreservoircuriosity
Climbs, views & nature nearby
History & landmarks nearby
Common questions
- Why stop at Hrad Bítov on a bike ride?
- One of Moravia's oldest and largest castles, its neo-Gothic towers crown a rocky promontory above the Vranov Reservoir where the Zeletavka meets the Dyje. First built in the 11th century and reshaped over centuries by the Lichtenburg, Jankovsky and Daun families, it holds a historic armoury and, oddly, the world's largest collection of stuffed dogs.
- Where is Hrad Bítov?
- Hrad Bítov is in Bítov, Czechia (Czech Republic).