Houska Castle was once named one of the 10 most terrifying buildings in the world. Its most "proud" is the dark hole that can't see five fingers.
It is said to be the "gateway to hell" because it is so deep that no one can see the bottom.
Coupled with the fact that during World War II, the Germans used the Huska Castle to conduct inhumane experiments on local people and prisoners of war, which added to the mystery of this 13th-century building.
So, what secrets does Huska Castle hide? Maybe it starts with its first generation of owners.
The dark green figure shows the Duchy of Bohemia in the Holy Roman Empire
He was the king of Bohemia, and he painstakingly built many terrifying castles to defend against the Mongol invasion.
He was Ottoka II (1233-1278).
PřemyslOttokar, together with Charles IV, was considered the greatest king of Bohemia.
He was the founder of many new towns, integrating many dilapidated towns through civic charters and reviving Bohemia's near-decadent "body".
He is also a staunch supporter of trade, law and order. By recruiting immigrants from german-speaking areas, he enabled the bohemian population to prosper as never before.
The historic East Prussian city of Königsburg was once crowned with his honor, and he shone through the immortal exploits of the Teutonic Knights.
In fact, Ottoka II's contribution to Bohemia can never be described in one or two words.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >01 The founder of ancient law</h1>
First, the traditional laws of the Duchy of Bohemia, or Czech Duchy, remained in the primitive customary law stage before the assumption of office in Ottoka II. But it was during his administration that many of the legal principles introduced formed the core of Czech law in the centuries that followed.
At least since the time of Otoka, the oldest Czech law, Zemskédesky, and the oldest written Czech Federal Law, have played an important role, and we can still find traces of them in the legal records of Czech towns.
Graphic ancient law Zemskédesky
Later, the civic charter privileges he actively promoted also caused the townspeople to no longer be subordinated to the traditional courts controlled by members of the nobility. This can almost be seen as the first step towards equality for Czechs and a precursor to modern civil law.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >02 Jewish hope</h1>
In 1254 AD, Ottoka also historicly granted "general privileges" (1254) to Jews, thus establishing the prerequisites for the integration of Jews into Czech society. In this way, the Jews enjoyed the right to hold various positions in Bohemia, even including the hand of the king (similar to the position of prime minister).
There is no doubt that the status of the Jews has taken a qualitative leap because of the influence of Ottoka. It was also from then on that the Jews ceased to be attached to individual monarchs, but were favored by other royal families or officials in Europe.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >03 Castle Maniac</h1>
If the above two feats still fail to meet the standard of visualization, then the next thing can fully see Ottoka's political wisdom.
In fact, Ottoka followed a systematic policy throughout his life to strengthen his domain by building fortifications.
Translated into the vernacular, "Otoka is a castle-building maniac.".
According to statistics, in addition to his support for the town, Otoka personally built many fortresses, including but not limited to the Zvíkov Castle in Bohemia (pictured below).
Zvíkov Castle
and Křivoklát Castle (pictured below)
Křivoklát Castle
And as we said earlier, Husca Castle (pictured below)
Located 47 km north of the Czech capital Prague, Khuska Castle is a "giant fortress built on the rock" known for its well-preserved Gothic churches, paintings, and parlors.
However, what makes this castle successfully "out of the circle" is also some folklore of Huska.
In the natural hollow of Huska Castle, it seems that hybrid offspring of animals and humans were born, and then an "otherworldly creature with black wings" flew near it.
Legend has it that at the time of the initial construction of the castle, if those prisoners sentenced to death agreed to lower them into the cave by rope and report what they saw, then these people would receive a pardon from Otoka.
But when the first brave prisoner fell into the cave entrance, he screamed incessantly after a few seconds, and when people pulled him back to the ground again,
"This man looks 60 years older."
Yes, as the old folklore says, the prisoner's face was covered with wrinkles and his hair turned white.
"The opening of the cave seems to have swallowed people's lifespan."
According to some historians, Huska Castle was built with no fortifications, no water, no kitchens, no trade routes, and even the guards guarding the castle were missing.
"It looks like the castle was built not as a dwelling or protective shelter, but because the authorities believe the cave was a gateway to hell."
That is, the Grand Duke of Bohemia, Ottoka II, hoped that by building this Gothic building, demons would be bound to "the thickest walls closest to the entrance of the castle".
However, the above "secrets" have always been the pastime of Czechs after tea and dinner, whether it is true or not, I think everyone is in the mirror.
But castles were indeed a sign of bohemian power and the most effective means of Ottoka's response to Mongol invasions in the 13th century.
Interestingly, in Dante's Divine Comedy, Ottokar's eponymous character is also given the function of "Gatekeeper of Purgatory", which is not known to be related to the secret story of Husca Castle.
Oh yes, Ottoka was also the 19th-century Austrian playwright Franz Ottoka. The male protagonist in Franz Grillparzer's famous tragedy König Ottokars Glück und Ende reveals his human brilliance.
Therefore, it does not really matter whether Huska Castle is inhabited by demons or not. What matters is that behind it is the wise man.
Remember the name Ottoka II.