Castle Sázava

The caste is a national cultural monument. It lies on the right bank of the river Sázava. Originally, it was a monastery which was probably founded in 1032 by a hermit Prokop with an important support of prince Oldřich. Or this is at least what a legend about St. Prokop says. The monastery accepted the benedictine rules but it used the Slavonic liturgy. The monastery soon became a well known centre of Slavonic intelligence and culture. It was tightly connected to east Eruope. In the first half of the 12th century, the monastery was rebuilt into a Romanic style and in 1305 it was rebuilt into Gothic style. Also the capitular hall comes from these times. The capitular hall is the most interesting part of the Gothic building - not only its architecture but also its decorated walls. In the 70s of the 14th century the big reconstruction began. The works took long and they were also interrupted by the Hussite movement and war. The works were not finished and only the torso was left. In 1785 the monastery was closed and it became a private property. One of the owners - Jan from Neuberk - had the monastery reconstructed into a Neorenaissance castle. The tower with a terrace was added, the interior was modified and so he created a comfortable castle living. The castle is opened for public. It is situated in the city Sázava - local part Černé Budy.