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Rabí Castle today

Czechia · Ruin

Rabí Castle

Hrad Rabí

Rabí is a large medieval hilltop castle in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic, noted as the country's largest castle by area and protected as a national cultural monument. Originating in the 14th century and substantially remodelled in the late 15th century, it now survives as extensive ruined masonry above a small village on a prominent hill beside the Otava River.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1400

Its prime

1500

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1500

What Rabí Castle looked like in its prime.

Massive, light-grey stone ruins occupy the crest of a wooded hill above a small village and red‑roofed church; a broad, rectangular keep and several high curtain walls and square towers form a layered, three-tiered silhouette. Thick ramparts and the bases of bastions remain; the ruins rise directly from the tree line, with segments of living quarters and service buildings stepping down the slope. The overall material is pale local stone with large ashlar blocks and exposed wall cores.

Its story

The story of Rabí Castle.

Rabí is the largest castle by area in the Czech Republic, set on a prominent hill above a small village beside the Otava. The Lords of Velhartice likely established it after 1300, to protect the trade routes along the river and to inspect its gold-bearing deposits.

The Švihovský of Rýzmburk family continued the building work, adding the outer ward and two square towers. At the start of the Hussite rebellions the family sought havens at Rabí for supporters of the Catholic side and their treasures, but the building activity exhausted the Švihovský finances and the fortifications remained incomplete; the estate was sold in 1549, and the new owners did not invest in the castle.

The House of Chanov, from Dlouhá Ves, bought the castle in 1570, and the Lamberk family held it from 1708 until 1920, when they donated it to the Horažďovice Society for the Preservation of Artistic, Cultural and Natural Monuments for a symbolic price of one crown. Taken by the Czechoslovak state after 1945, the great ruin was proclaimed a national cultural monument in 1978.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1500.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Rabí Castle, including 3 interiors: inner courtyard (bailey), residential palace and chambers, prismatic tower (tower cell). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the fieldsOuter ward and curtain wallsInner courtyard (bailey)Base of the keep (donjon)Residential palace and chambersPrismatic tower (tower cell)Ramparts and battlementsView from the Otava riverbank

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Whose castle

Clans who held Rabí Castle.

The families that held Rabí Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Velhartice

    The Lords of Velhartice likely established the castle after 1300 to protect trade routes along the Otava.

  • Švihovský

    The Švihovský of Rýzmburk family built the outer ward and towers before the estate was sold in 1549.

  • Chanov

    The House of Chanov, from Dlouhá Ves, bought the castle in 1570.

  • Lamberk

    Held by the Lamberk family from 1708 until 1920, when they donated the castle for a symbolic price of 1 CSK.

Questions about Rabí Castle

What is the history of Rabí Castle?

Rabí Castle originated in the 13th or 14th century as a hilltop stronghold above the Otava River. The Lords of Velhartice likely established it to protect river trade routes and inspect gold-bearing deposits. The Švihovský family later expanded its outer ward and towers; Hussite forces conquered it in 1420 and 1421, while later remodelling in the late 15th century left the fortifications incomplete.

What is inside Rabí Castle?

Inside Rabí Castle are an inner courtyard, a residential palace and chambers, and a cell in the prismatic tower. The residential complex included large halls, service buildings and a kitchen, while the inner castle developed around a raised donjon. The ruins also preserve features such as a vaulted entrance ramp and parts of the former living quarters.

Who owns Rabí Castle now?

Rabí Castle is owned by the Czech Republic. It has been a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1978. The castle was taken by the Czechoslovak state after 1945, following its donation to the Horažďovice Society for a symbolic price in 1920.

Why was Rabí Castle built, and what was it used for?

Rabí Castle was built to protect trade routes along the Otava River and to inspect its gold-bearing deposits. It was also developed as a donjon-type residence and fortress, with living quarters, service buildings, ramparts, towers and extensive outer wards. Later neglect and wartime damage changed it from a fortified residence into a ruin.

Where is Rabí Castle?

Rabí Castle is in the Plzeň Region, on a prominent hill beside the Otava River above the town of Rabí. It stands in the foothills of the Bohemian Forest Foothills, about eight kilometres north-east of Sušice. The castle rises above a small village and the river valley.

When was Rabí Castle built?

Rabí Castle was first raised in the 13th or 14th century, with 1400 recorded as its first-raised year. Its origins are uncertain because one account places its foundation in the first half of the 13th century, while another says the Lords of Velhartice likely established it after 1300. The castle was substantially remodelled in the late 15th century.

Was Rabí Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Rabí Castle was besieged by Hussite forces in 1420 and 1421. During the first siege its garrison surrendered without fighting, while during the second it resisted before the castle was taken. The second siege is associated with Jan Žižka losing his remaining good eye in July 1421.

Which family or clan held Rabí Castle?

Rabí Castle was held by the Lords of Velhartice, the Švihovský of Rýzmburk family, the House of Chanov and the Lamberk family. The Švihovský family held it until the estate was sold in 1549, and the House of Chanov bought it in 1570. The Lamberk family held it from 1708 until 1920.

What did Rabí Castle look like in its prime?

At its prime, Rabí Castle was a massive, pale-stone fortress on the crest of a wooded hill. A broad rectangular keep, high curtain walls and square towers formed a layered, three-tiered silhouette, with thick ramparts, bastions and buildings stepping down the slope. Its architectural styles include Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Is Rabí Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Rabí Castle survives as an extensive ruin. Its masonry, keep, curtain walls, towers, ramparts and parts of its living quarters remain, although the fortifications were never completed. After damage and long neglect, conservation and archaeological work took place from 1920 to 1947, and further reconstruction and securing followed the collapse of part of the eastern palace in 1981.

Can you visit Rabí Castle?

Rabí Castle can be visited because its ruins are open to the public. The castle was reopened after reconstruction and securing work in 1986, and since 2003 it has been managed by the National Heritage Institute. The site is also described as containing a small museum in reconstructed spaces.

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