Bechev Castle in the Czech Republic
Rating: 8,6/10 (3565 votes)  Bechev Castle is located above the Tepla Valley, 15 kilometers from Karlovy Vary. The castle complex consists of two buildings – a baroque palace and a gothic castle. At the beginning of the 13th century, the first Slavic settlement already existed on the site of the castle. In the 14th century, to protect the trade routes passing through the village, the Borish castle from the Rozhemberk family was built. In 1407 the castle was acquired by the Hazmbuk family, and in 1411 Bechev became a stronghold of the sworn opponents of the Hussite movement. For this very reason, the castle was ravaged by the Hussites in 1430. In 1495 the castle was taken over by the Rabstein family. In 1502-1547, reconstruction works were carried out in the castle, during which it was significantly expanded. In 1547, the estate was confiscated from the Rabsteyn family for their participation in the uprising organized against Ferdinand the First. During the Thirty Years War, the owners of the castle changed quite often, and as a result, Bechev was ruined and abandoned . In 1624, the castle was acquired by the Kvestenberk family, as a result the building was partially restored, but it never became a family residence. The Kwestenberks were replaced by the nobleman Kounitz, who bought the building and immediately started building a baroque palace. In the first half of the 19th century, the castles were owned by the Belgian Beufort-Spontini family. In 1945, both buildings were nationalized. The oldest part of the castle is the two towers in the Gothic style. The eastern tower houses the chapel of the Virgin Mary, the walls of which are decorated with hand-made paintings. In the middle of the 19th century, the palace and the castle were reconstructed. In 1985, a gilded tomb with the relics of St. Maurice, dating from the 13th century, was discovered under the floor of the castle. This relic, currently the second most valuable, was purchased at auction by the last owners of the castle in 1828. The tomb was kept in an underground hiding place, therefore, it required serious restoration. In 2002 the tomb was put on public display.  
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