Panský dvůr a Pikartská věž

An interesting example of a medieval fortification.

Úštěk Castle is a beautiful and interesting example of small fortifications from the time of Wenceslas IV. you can find it on the south side of Peace Square, and you can get to the complex of buildings either from the west of the Municipal Office and the Water World or through a charming little lane just behind the Deanery building (at the facade of St. Peter and Paul Church). The castle courtyard is dominated by a three-storey rectangular Gothic palace with a baroque staircase tower forming the southern front of the castle core. The northern development of the castle is predominantly of modern origin. Between it and the stair tower you will find a Baroque backdrop from 1677. Only the massive prism called Pikartka has been preserved from the area around the bailey. In the rock below the castle there are extensive cellars. The Picartic Tower is the strongest and most powerful tower of the city fortifications. It was built in 1428 under the Hussite governor Václav Cardy of Petrovice (hence the name Pikartská, so the Hussites were pejoratively labeled by their opponents). It served to strengthen the defenses of the Úštěk castle. Later until 1947 the tower was used for residential purposes. The tower is built of sandstone blocks, the walls are almost two meters thick, has 4 floors, the last is slightly lower than the others, because the tower burned down in 1859 and has not been restored to its original height. Nowadays, the tower serves as a gallery, and you can also find the Devil's Museum here, which will be appreciated especially by families with children. Right next to the tower you can have lunch in the pizzeria Čertovna. Úštěk town castle was founded by the Škopek family from Dubá sometime between 1402-1408. The first explicit mention of it dates back to 1418. In 1426 the estate was purchased by the Hussite governor Václav Carda of Petrovice - that is why in 1428 Úštěk conquered and burned Sigismund of Vartenberk. The severely damaged castle had V. Card repaired and rebuilt. After the White Mountain, the Jesuits acquired Úštěk, after the abolition of their order, the castle was bought by the Úštěk law-making bourgeoisie in 1779, and the space began to serve as a brewery. In 1930 the whole complex was bought by the town of Úštěk, since then it has been undergoing a gradual reconstruction. -------------------------------- Úštěcký Castle is a beautiful and interesting example of small town fortifications from the times of Wenceslas IV. The castle courtyard is dominated by a three-storey rectangular Gothic palace with a baroque staircase forming the southern front of the castle's core. The northern part of the castle is predominantly of modern origin. Between the northern part and the stair tower you can find the Baroque Gate from 1677. Only the mighty prism tower called Pikartka was preserved from the pre-castle settlement .. Picard tower is the strongest and most powerful tower of city fortifications. It was built in 1428 as the Hussite governor Vaclav Karda of Petrovice (hence the name "Picart", so the Hussites were pejoratively denoted by their opponents). It is served to reinforce the defenses of the castle. Later, until 1947, the tower was used for residential purposes. The tower is built of sandstone blocks, the walls are almost two meters thick. Currently, the tower serves as a gallery and you can also find the Devil's Museum, which is especially appreciated by families with children. Next to the tower, you can have lunch at Čertovna pizzeria. There are extensive cellars in the rock below the castle.

Originally a defensive tower built in 1428 by the Hussite chieftain, it was named after the Picard movement. The tower burned down, but it was restored, until 1947 it was inhabited, today there is a gallery, a devil's museum, a pizzeria. The tower is built of sandstone blocks and a wall thick 2 meters testifies to its original defensive role. A very nice view of the tower is from the valley below. The tower is part of the picturesque Mansion and Castle.