One of the most unique aspects of Czech life is its extensive collection of castles. The Czech Republic has over 2,000 castles and chateaus packed into their small country, and many of them display very diverse architectural styles.
In the Czech lands, castles were originally used as fortresses, which is why they often are built on a high hill, or they use a moat or stone wall. Through the 13th and 14th centuries, the rulers of the Czech lands expanded their collection and ownership of castles to strengthen security and their own personal control. The castles transitioned from being used as militaristic assets to personal estates for rulers.
In 1415, a religious war broke out in the Czech lands, now known as the Hussite revolution. A philosopher by the name of Jan Hus questioned the practices and behaviors of clergy members in the church, which were ultimately supported by the Holy Roman Emperor, Sigismund. Jan Hus was arrested for speaking up against the church, and was burned at the stake in 1415, sparking revolutions around the Czech lands. As a result of the outrage, many castles were destroyed or damaged by the revolutionaries. Over time, as tensions calmed, chateaus and castles became the property of prominent nobility families.
