Buzice Castle

Buzice Castle is a preserved medieval stronghold, with the first written mention dating back to 1348.

From the end of the 14th century, the tower has been preserved, along with two adjoining wings which were rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries into a Baroque granary. Despite the changes, the structure has retained the appearance of a medieval castle.

The original rampart and moat remain on the southeastern side of the complex. The fortress is located about 1 km southwest of the village of Buzice, below the Buzický pond.

Buzice is the cradle of the old Czech noble family of the Buzic, who bore a boar’s head in their coat of arms. From this family descended the lords of Rožmitál, Šelmberk, Valdek, and Hazmburk. The family resided in the northwest Prácheňsko region. The Buzice branch is documented as early as 1384; after 1491, Buzice was sold to the Blatná estate.

The oldest known member was Předota (1384–1412). His brother Pešík, mentioned in 1397, had a son named Bušek (1401–1412). The name Bušek (= Bohuslav) was common in the family. Later members include Jan (1446–1480), Václav of Buzice, Bušek the Elder (1451–1473), and Bušek the Younger (1463–1498). In the late 15th century, as the family grew and could no longer be sustained by the Buzice estate, Zdeněk Lev of Rožmitál bought Buzice as part of Blatná. By 1527, the castle was referred to as abandoned, and by the end of the 16th century, under Václav of Rozdražov, it was converted into a granary.

The castle was chosen as a filming location by director Hynek Bočan for his movie Honor and Glory. The knight Rynda, portrayed by the excellent actor Rudolf Hrušínský, resided in the fortress.