Bečov Castle

The origins of the complex date back to the first half of the 13th century, when Bečov Castle was likely built as a customs post. It was first documented in 1349 in the possession of the Lords of Ossegg and Riesenburg. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands multiple times, including to the Lords of Hasenburg and Plauen. It underwent a significant transformation starting in 1495 under the Lords Pflug von Rabenstein, who expanded the building in the Renaissance style. After the confiscation of property by King Ferdinand I in 1547, due to Kaspar Pflug's involvement in the Estates' Uprising, the dominion passed to various noble families and towns. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle was captured by Swedish troops in 1648 and severely damaged. From 1624, the Questenberg family became the new owners, beginning the construction of the Baroque chateau below the old castle in the early 18th century. This was completed in 1753 by the Lords of Kaunitz. In 1813, Friedrich Beaufort-Spontin acquired the complex. His descendants created a park and, in 1945, hid the valuable St. Maurus Reliquary, which was only rediscovered in 1986 and, after extensive restoration, has been exhibited in the chateau since 2002.

Bečov Castle is located in the town of Bečov nad Teplou in the Karlovarský kraj (Karlovy Vary Region) in the Severozápad (Northwest) region of the Czech Republic, at an elevation of approximately 518 m above sea level.

Visitors can tour the chateau today and admire the famous St. Maurus Reliquary. Various guided tours are offered, providing insights into the state rooms, the library, and the chateau chapel.

• Javorná Castle (Chateau), approx. 9.6 km away
• Toužim Castle (Theusing) (Chateau), approx. 10.7 km away
• Loket Castle (Elbogen) (Castle), approx. 12.8 km away
• Hartenštejn Castle Ruin (Hartenstein) (Castle), approx. 15.4 km away