Fortified town of Loket - Czech Republic
Posted by: 
ToRo61
N 50° 11.162 E 012° 45.265
33U E 339694 N 5561728
Loket Castle and the fortified town of Loket
Waymark Code: WMTZA8
Location: Karlovarský kraj, Czechia
Date Posted: 01/27/2017
Views: 25
The town of Loket (among other names also denoted as Loketh, Elbogen and literally meaning "Elbow") was founded in the 1240’s during the reign of King Václav I (also denoted as Wenceslaus I of Bohemia). It actually formed the outer ward of stately royal castle of the same name with a Romanesque rotunda probably dating to the third quarter of the 12th century. Loket Castle was built on a marked cliff clenched by the bending Ohre River. Loket Castle gained significance after 1230 when the seat of the regional authority transferred to the castle from Sedlec. The importance of the town grew along with the castle because they later formed a single defence unit. Even the only town gate was guarded by the castle vassals and the vassalage spreading around the castle during the reign of King Premysl Otakar II (also denoted as Ottokar II of Bohemia) created a rather odd shape. The town reinforced its defence system under Premysl Otakar's rule and profited from its advantageous position along the trading trail leading from Cheb and Kraslice to Prague via Žlutice or Kadan. In the era of the Luxembourgs, Loket Castle served as the temporary residence of members of the royal family. It was visited by King John of Luxembourg a number of times and his wife, Eliška Premyslovna (also denoted as Elisabeth I of Bohemia), stayed at Loket with her son Václav, the later Emperor Charles IV, in 1319. Young Prince Wenceslaus was imprisoned at the castle for two months upon his father's orders. In 1337, the king conferred rights upon Loket that were also enjoyed by other royal towns. Charles IV was a frequent visitor at Loket Castle in his adult years and he especially favoured the local royal game park.
P.S.
Become James Bond for a while and take a walk through the streets of the medieval town of Loket. If you keep your eyes open, you might find the precise place near the fountain where Mr. Bond parked his Aston Martin... see (
visit link)