Fortresses and castles
In small Czech Republic there are around 2000 castles, fortresses and their remains (in the form of ruins). In fact almost every town has its own castle built hundreds of years ago. 
The first Czech fortresses were erected in the 11th century, but castle construction reached its peak in the 13th century and continued in the following 150-200 years. At this historic period fortresses served not only as dwelling places, but also as permanent bases for governing conquered territories and simultaneously the only defense in difficult times, which took place basically all throughout the Middle Ages. Later on with the expansion and strengthening of control over larger territories, fortresses were perfected. They were erected around places that were in many ways separated from the outside world. These barriers were mainly formed by rocks, rivers and water reservoirs. With respect to location, fortresses are divided into high-altitude, rocky and situated on swamps. With respect to occupants, they are divided into royal, noble and ecclesiastical.
Since the 16th century, because of sufficient consolidation of power in various estates and the improvement of housing and military science, the necessity for fortresses has dwindled. At this time they started to build castles with limited defensive function or no defensive potential whatsoever. Special attention was paid instead to their comfort and beauty. The whole range 
of original fortresses was rebuilt into castles. Some fortresses retained their original medieval form, but most of them were abandoned sooner or later, left to sink or swim and transformed in the course of time into debris. Building of new castle residences continued during next 300 years in the Baroque, Empire style, Rococo and Classicism. During the 19th century fortresses and castles were rebuilt in the spirit of the fashionable styles of the time – the Neo-gothic style and Neo-Renaissance. It was the final stage of their architectural fulfillment. All these buildings erected on the Czech territory over almost 1000 years are an integral part of the Czech Republic.
In this section we have listed only some castles and fortresses, which are the most visited. But there are plenty of other beautiful castles and fortresses which are worth visiting so that you can immerse yourself in their atmosphere and contemplate their beauty. During our educational programs we will definitely organize different trips and provide you with this perfect opportunity!