Castellologica bohemica 20/1
Úvodní strany (PDF)
Úvodní slovo (cz-en verze)
Milan Sýkora (PDF)
Studie
Tomáš Krofta – Roman Křivánek: Hrad Hůrky u Vranovic, okr. Příbram. Dosavadní stav poznání a výsledky
nedestruktivního archeologického výzkumu
Bogusz Wasik: The Castle in Sztum in the Light of archaeological research in 2019
Jan Večeřa: Úvaha nad stavebním vývojem a podobou jádra hradu Aueršperka
(okr. Žďár nad Sázavou) na základě nálezu architektonického článku
hradní věže
Daniel Kovář: Nad otázkou lokalizace hradu v Lomnici nad Lužnicí
(okr. Jindřichův Hradec)
Recenze
Josef Unger: Gabi Meier Mohamed: Burgruine Hünenberg im Kanton Zug. Archäologie,
Geschichte und vom „Geräusch rollender Steine“. Schweizer Beiträge
zur Kulturgeschichte und Archäologie des Mittelelters, Band 48, Basel 2020. (PDF)
Josef Unger: Mittelalter – Moyen Age – Medioevo – Temp medieval. Zeitschrift
des Schweizerischen Burgenvereins 25. Jahrgang 2020/1–4. (PDF)
Josef Unger: Mittelalter – Moyen Age – Medioevo – Temp medieval. Zeitschrift
des Schweizerischen Burgenvereins 27. Jahrgang 2022/1–4. (PDF)
STUDIE
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Tomáš Krofta – Roman Křivánek: Hrad Hůrky u Vranovic, okr. Příbram. Dosavadní stav poznání a výsledky nedestruktivního archeologického výzkumu/Hůrky Castle near the Village of Vranovice (Příbram Region, Central Bohemia). The Temporary State of Knowledge and Results of Non-destructive Archaeological Survey
(celý článek v PDF)
Abstract: The article deals with the present research into the neglected fortifications in the Brdy foothills. The complex destructive archeological research, analysis of written sources, and the historical-geographical analysis that were carried out offer a wholly different view of the site than is offered by present scholarship, which assumes it was a fortress of the local lower nobility in the 14th century. The completed research has provided information on a relatively extensive building site with minimal traces of construction, an incomplete fortification, and destruction by a massive fire. Via an analysis of potsherds, we can date the site to the first half of the 15th century. Based on this, we favor two unusual interpretations in the context of the present state of knowledge on Czech fortified settlements. The first is the unfinished and extensive residence of a prominent noble family from the beginning of the 15th century. The second is a fortification serving to house military units in the period of the Hussite wars. The present state of knowledge also does not rule out a sequence of both of these aforementioned functions.
Key words: Castle – Fortified manor – House of Buzic – House of Markvartic – Hussite Wars – Non-destructive archaeology – Brdy
Resumé: The text above summarizes the results of non-destructive archaeological research and the analysis of written sources. The article provides a new perspective on this little-known fortified site. The ruins of the Hůrky castle are located on Hůrka hill near the village of Vranovice, located in the foothills of the Brdy Forest on the borders of West, South and Central Bohemia. The site and surrounding landscape have mountainous conditions.
The methods used include surface survey, remote sensing, collection of artefacts, and geophysical survey (magnetometric, electrical resistance, ground-penetrating radar). The basic results include the first geodetic plan of the site and a detailed scientific description. There are no stone ruins above the surface. The castle is preserved only in the relief and below the surface. The area was fortified by a ditch, which forms a regular rectangular shape with sides 58 and 33 m long (i.e. roughly 1,800 square meters). The fortified area is quite flat, with one exception – the relicts of a basement building. The ditches were not completed, and they cover only one half of the site. Geophysical survey confirmed that the ditch was never built around the second half of the site. This and other signs indicate that the whole castle was never completed.
According to a chronological analysis of potsherds, the castle was occupied in the second half of the 14th century or the first half of the 15th century, but the latter period is more likely. The site was destroyed by fire, which is evidenced by many finds of burnt daub and some heat-deformed potsherd.
The castle itself was never directly mentioned in written sources. Only one non-direct reference to the castle is known. This relates to a “property” called ‘w Huorkách’ and is dated to 1436. We assume that this reference could be related to the castle and/or deserted manor farm (and/or village) nearby as well. On the other hand, we presume that the site was built on the Vranovice domain. The Vranovice domain contained the village of Vranovice with fortified manor and manor farm and several other villages. We know who the owners of this domain were – the House of Vranovice – from the period between 1318 and 1418. This was a family of lesser nobility and were of regional importance. Their followers were a family of high nobility – lords of the House of Zvířetice. This family – especially Vilém and his son Petr – were among the most prominent people in the Bohemian Kingdom. Vilém and Petr of the House of Zvířetice were participating in most of the important political negotiations in the period before, during and after the Hussite Wars. They were members of the conservative Utraquist party. We have several references in written sources about the military actions between the Catholic and Utraquist party here in this region at the beginning of the Hussite Wars.
We have also studied the landscape and settlement context of the site. The place for the castle was chosen on a location with a good defensive, symbolic and social function. The economic function was of lesser importance. The medieval road between two economic centres of the past – the towns of Příbram and Rožmitál– ran close to the castle. The castle and the road were in visual contact with one another. There were some remains of gold mining in the surrounding landscape, which are dated to the 12th and 13th century.
We worked with four different options concerning the purpose of the castle. 1) protection of the mining area and establishment of a settlement from the 13th century; 2) residence of the House of Vranovice from the 14th century; 3) residence of the lords of the House of Zvířetice from the 15th century; 4) fortified military camp from the 15th century – i.e. from the period of the Hussite Wars. We have ruled out the first option due to different dating between mining activity and potsherds from the castle. The second option has only a small degree of probability, as such a large castle was beyond the economic potential of the House of Vranovice. The last two options have the same probability, and both correspond to our data. Nevertheless, both options are highly extraordinary in the context of Bohemian fortified areas.
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Bogusz Wasik: The Castle in Sztum in the Light of archaeological research in 2019/Hrad Sztum ve světle archeologického výzkumu v roce 2019
(celý článek v PDF)
Abstract: The article presents the results of research of the Teutonic castle in Sztum that was carried out in 2019. This was the first large-scale study of this stronghold. It yielded much information, verified past views and supplemented existing knowledge significantly. The presence of a wooden-earthen stronghold in the place of a brick stone castle was not confirmed, and a new chronology of the beginning of its construction was indicated at the end of the 14th century. Elements of the castle’s buildings were discovered and identified, such as the residential building of the Grand Master and the second castle gate. The state of knowledge about the castle construction technique has also been significantly expanded.
Keywords: castle in Sztum – Sztum – Teutonic castles – Teutonic Order
Resumé: První vědecké studie hradu vznikly v druhé polovině 19. století a na počátku 20. století díky německým badatelům. V 80. letech 20. století byl proveden architektonický průzkum, nicméně hrad nebyl nikdy předmětem rozsáhlého archeologického výzkumu. V posledních desetiletích badatelé v zásadě opakují starší názory. Před pár lety však studie historiků Sławomira Jóźwiaka a Janusze Trupindy přinesly mnoho nových poznatků.
Existoval názor, že hrad byl pravděpodobně postaven na místě pruské pevnosti. Současný výzkum však tento názor navrhuje odmítnout. Na různých místech hradního areálu byla zjištěna úroveň původního terénu, beze stop po starším dřevohlinitém hradišti. Chronologie stavby cihlového hradu byla spojena s první zmínkou o úřednících spojených se Sztumem (ve 30. letech 14. století). Informace o založení fortalicium v roce 1377 Albrechtem III. Habsburským byla ztotožněna s přidáním jedné ze tří hradních věží. Nedávný výzkum tuto interpretaci odmítl. Všechny věže byly budovány od počátku výstavby hradu. Datovaný archeologický materiál však potvrzuje, že stavba byla zahájena až ve 2. polovině 14. století.
Hrad měl nepravidelný (polygonální) půdorys, pravděpodobně kvůli záměru co nejlépe využít povrch pahorku. Ze západní a východní strany měl hrad dvě čtvercové věže s obytnými prostory. Jak se ukázalo, obě byly propojeny s branskými budovami. Třetí polygonální věž stála na severu. Největší obytnou stavbou bylo jihozápadní křídlo, kde sídlil fojt. Na severu a jihovýchodě se nacházely hospodářské budovy. Mezi jihozápadním křídlem a jihovýchodním hospodářským křídlem byly objeveny pozůstatky rezidenčních budov velmistra z 1. čtvrtiny 15. století. Na středověkém hradě je patrná převaha obytné a reprezentační funkce nad funkcí vojenskou (vysoké věže s tenkými zdmi, dvě velké hradní brány, mělce založené hradební zdi). ednou z nejdůležitějších funkcí hradu byla rezidence velmistrů a základna pro lov. V blízkosti hradu se nacházely lesy a také zvěřinec.
Od poloviny 15. století přešel hrad do polských rukou. Starostové jej v 16.–17. století přestavěli. Modernizovali interiér, postavili nové hrázděné budovy včetně západního křídla a staré hospodářské budovy na severu nahradili novými stájemi.
Hrad byl zničen během polsko-švédské války (1655–1660) a navzdory obnově již nezískal svůj lesk. Od konce 18. století byly části hradu zbořeny.
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Jan Večeřa: Úvaha nad stavebním vývojem a podobou jádra hradu Aueršperka (okr. Žďár nad Sázavou) na základě nálezu architektonického článku hradní věže/Consideration of the construction development and form of the castle core of Aueršperk (district Žďár nad Sázavou) on the basis of the discovery of an architectural element of the castle tower
(celý článek v PDF)
Abstract: The paper publishes the conclusions from a survey of the castle. It also deals with the finding of a stone console on the tower and its interpretation. Published archaeological material was also used. The detailed survey was supplemented by published historical reports. Subsequently, the castle served as an important settlement and fortified point of the Lords of Pernštejn. Abandonment of the castle did not occur until the second half of the 15th century.
Key words: Medieval archaeology – castles – fortification – nobility – heraldic motif
Resumé: The ruin of Aueršperk is located near Bystřice nad Pernštejnem (district Žďár nad Sázavou). The castle was probably built by the lords of Medlov in the second half of the 13th century. The first written mention comes from the 14th century. At that time, the castle probably belonged to Geruše, daughter of Jimram of Aueršperk. The castle was abandoned during the 15th century. This article deals with the finding of a stone console on the tower and the construction development of the castle. The appearance of the castle, the location of the gate and its development have yet to be clearly established. Architectural history research revealed a more complex development of the castle and included the construction of anti-artillery fortifications. The stone console probably served to present the coat of arms or as a support for vertical communication. Based on this finding, the present article tries to determine the relationship between the tower and the wall - the wall could have revolved around the tower, or the tower protruded from the perimeter of the wall. The first option is more likely.
The crucial finding is that the tower in the east was never completed. Its interpretation is uncertain. The youngest part of the castle was the forecourt, which was only slightly fortified. It is possible that the military garrison of Jan of Pernštejn lived here.
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Daniel Kovář: Nad otázkou lokalizace hradu v Lomnici nad Lužnicí (okr. Jindřichův Hradec)/On the issue of localizing the castle in Lomnice nad Lužnicí (District of Jindřichův Hradec)
(celý článek v PDF)
Abstract: The paper provides a new hypothesis on the localization of the deserted castle in the town of Lomnice, which was a prominent settlement of the Vítkovci noble family in the 13th and 14th centuries. The seizure of the castle by the Hussites in 1420-1435 and unsuccessful attempts at its capture led Oldřich of Rožmberk to abandon the castle. The Gothic chapel founded in 1359 remained intact. However, urban and archeological findings do not point to the fact that it was a physical part of the deserted castle. We suggest searching for its core roughly 110 to 180 meters farther north on the site of a distinct cluster of houses, which can be considered to be the ground-plan trace of a medieval settlement.
Key words: castles – castle chapel – localization – urbanism – Lomnice nad Lužnicí – South Bohemia
Resumé: Lomnice nad Lužnicí is an urban location from the period around the mid-13th century, a part of which included a relatively extensive castle serving as the seat of one branch of the prominent Vítkovci noble family. The castle was wholly deserted, and its remains have yet to be successfully identified. In addition, the localization traditionally cited in literature raises doubts. The paper presented here provides a new hypothesis on the placement of this deserted settlement.
The name Lomnice appears as a nobiliary particle from 1265 to the first third of the 14th century. Before 1341, the manor was acquired by the lords of Landštejn, and Vilém of Landštejn founded a chapel (1359) in the area of the castle. In 1381, Lomnice became royal property. In 1420, the castle was occupied by the Hussites, and Catholic forces subsequently attempted repeatedly to capture it (1421, 1435). After the defeat of the radical Hussites, Oldřich of Rožmberk defended his right to its possession and left the castle there deactivated. The fortified settlement undoubtedly served as a source of material and was absorbed by the residential construction of the town.
The Gothic Chapel of St. Wenceslaus stands in the eastern part of the town’s core and is identical to the original Corpus Christi Chapel founded in 1359 “in castro Lompnicz” or “in fundo castri Lompnicz”. Therefore, it has been assumed until now to be a direct remnant of the castle core. However, the urban planning of the surrounding built-up area does not attest to such a localization, and archeological findings in excavations in the adjacent area are negative. The architecture of the chapel shows no indications of former construction links to other buildings. On the contrary: it is likely to have been a freely-standing building since the beginning, even supported by diagonal buttresses. We suggest explaining this seeming contradiction via the provenance of written references that came from the Office of the Archbishop in Prague, which lacked direct contact with reality; the chapel “in castro” may have been a castle chapel in the legal context and physically stood on the property belonging to the castle or in the outer bailey.
At the northern tip of the town’s core, 110-180 meters away from the chapel, there is a cluster of houses with a distinct ground-plan, the existence of which is evidenced by sources from the 17th century (today’s Sádecká Street no. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 241). Thanks to its typical characteristics, this town-planning structure can be considered to be a ground-plan impression of the deserted medieval castle. The shape of some of the plots perhaps indicates the course of filled-in trenches. However, it is not possible via visible survey to identify clear relicts of the castle on this site.