Oficiální stránky - městečko Pecka

Amongst the indulating countryside of the western Podkrkonoší, between Nová Paka and Dvůr Králové is situated a small town Pecka. Above it on a steep hill rises the homonymous castle most of which is in ruins nowadays. Only one wing, the western palase has withstood the ravages of true and the blasts of the mountain winds.

The castle of Pecka was built the bebinning of the 14th century by the noblemen from Železnice. Its owner was Budivoj or Buzek from Pecka in 1322. At the same time a small settlement sprang up around the castle whith slowly grew and in 1382 it was promoted to become a town. The appearance of the early-Gothic castle was quite simple and gaunt in spite of its subdivisions. Two defensive towers with a small residential palace were connected by the castle wall which enclosed the whole courtyard. End to the castle was made more difficult by the castle moat spanned by the wooden draw bridge at the entrance.

During the Hussite war the castle was conquered by the orphans and its owner Jarek from Železnice was forced to make peace. At the beginning of the 16th century, at the time of Mikuláš and Vilém Hořický from Hořice, the castle was anlarged and the numerous
late-Gothic additions were built. Other and much more important changes, when the castle was transformed to become a chateau residence, occured during the second half of the 16th century during the time of the Škopeks from Bílé Otradovice. The result over the long period of construction is a lovely Renaissance chateau consisting of the four room, two floor high wings enclosing the rectangle coutryard. The construction was finished by Kryštof Harant from Polžice and Bezdružice (1564-1621), a famous Traveller, writer and musician. In the memory of this important personality of the Czech Renaissance there are organized Harant festivals of historical singing at the castle.

After the of death Harant, Albrecht from Valdštejn interited Pecka but he gave the chateau to the monastic order of cartusians in 1626. They made just some flat adjustment of a practical nature but they concentrated their effort on the development of the small town and nearby villages. After their leaving in 1782 Trautmannsdorf bought a near derelict chateau. Soon after in 1830 the chateau burnt down and the destructive fire brought to an end its former glory. The near derelict construction decayed more and more and during that time it became a ruin.

Only in 1921 when the ruin bacame a possession of the twnlet Pecka, the first safety works bagan and the most important rebuilding work was started. The second stage of the reconstructions happened in the sixties. The western palace was roofed over and the restoration of the two upper floors was completed. In the nineties the other rooms on the ground floor and in the castle vault were modified. In the new rooms an interior exhibition was newly created which tries to illustrate the personality of Kryštof Harant and the history of castle and the townlet to the visitors.

During the season various cultural and social events take place at the castle, for example concerts, theatre and fencing performances, lectures, conferences, weddings etc.

The townlet Pecka retains the character of a picturesque and calm small town at the bottom of the Krkonoše even today. The rich history of the townlet is evident from the many surviving cultural sights. The most significant is the church of St. Bartoloměj, baroque rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century with the paintings on the ceiling by V. Kramolin and with the relief tableaus of the cruciate journey by J. Lederer. In the square there is a pestilentian column by F. Petrš from 1720 and an early baroque fountain. Several valuable baroque sculptures are situated around the castle and also in the town. Kryštof Harant is commemorated by a standing in front of the school. Near the church there is a small monument of the local native P. Štemberk, a pstor from Lidice who was martyrred by the Nazis.

Besides several municipal houses from the first half of the 19th century several timbered cottages were preserved which represent folk building of the region. Pecka is also a suitable place for recreation. Visitors can use the service of the two hotels with restaurants and quest accommodation. In summer they can go to the outdoor swimming pool and in winter there is a ski-lift.

A romantic vicinity with hills and forests also offers suitable surroundings for pleasant walking and sightseeing. From Pecka it is also possible to také the trips to the Krkonoše, Bohemia Paradise or to the Zoo Safari in Dvůr Králové.