Touzim - Northwestern Bohemia, Czech Republic
Posted by: 
ToRo61
N 50° 03.588 E 012° 59.023
33U E 355683 N 5547226
Touzim Castle and Chateau
Waymark Code: WMT9HD
Location: Karlovarský kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 10/19/2016
Views: 30
Since its foundation, Toužim had been the administrative centre of the demesne. Calixtin nobility took hold of the demesne belonging to the Order of the Prémontré during the Hussite Wars. Jan I of Vresovice rebuilt Toužim into a Gothic castle and in 1469, the burghers of the plundered town of Útviny moved their borough to the castle. Toužim thus became a fortified town and the economic centre of the demesne. The last aristocratic owners were Dukes Beaufort-Spontini between 1837 and 1945.
The town experienced a period of heyday especially in the age of Renaissance in the 16th century. The local chateau was the residence of the nobility, handicrafts and trade with mining towns in the nearby Slavkovský les (Slavkov Forest) and Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) were thriving. The town gradually acquired various rights, the town hall, two schools, and three churches were built and suburbs were growing beyond the town walls. The largely Czech population was forced out or germanised by German colonists in the 16th and 17th century, and a Jewish minority settled in the town in the 17th century.
The historical centre of Toužim and the chateau are a monument zone.
Accessibility: No access - dangerous
Condition: Partly ruined
Admission Charge?: no
Website: [Web Link]
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