Among dense forests and picturesque gorges, on one of the inaccessible high cliffs, stands the Gouska Castle, shrouded in mystical legends and mysterious stories. It is located in the Czech Republic, 65 km from its capital. This place attracts thousands of tourists who are interested in mysticism and paranormal phenomena. There is a well under the castle, at the bottom of which there are underground passages, one of which leads to the gates of hell. Only once did a prisoner go down there, for which he was promised freedom. Read how this adventure ended in our article.
History of Gouska Castle
The history of the castle dates back to the end of the 9th century, when on the site of the existing building, Prince Slavibor built a wooden castle for his son Gousek. Since then, this name has been firmly entrenched for the castle, although many owners have changed in it over the centuries. Years did not spare the wooden buildings, and in the 13th century, at the behest of the King of Bohemia Přemysl Otakar II, the Gouska castle was rebuilt. During the Thirty Years War, the building was partially destroyed, and after its end the Gothic building was reconstructed in the Renaissance style. Over the long years of its existence, the castle belonged to venerable and well-known masters at one time: the Wallensteins, the noble Czech-Moravian family of the Kaunits, the Countess Andrassy and the Princess of Hohenlohe.
The new owner of the castle in 1924 became Josef Szimonek, who was then president of the Škoda car factories, in order to use the area and the building as his own summer residence. When the Second World War began, separate units of the German army were located in the Gouska castle. After the end of the war and the formation of socialist Czechoslovakia, this building was nationalized and given over to the archives of the state library. After the fall of the totalitarian regime in the 90s, the Gouska castle passed into the hands of the previous owners, who by the new millennium carried out a number of restoration works and prepared it for tourist excursions.
Tourists from all over the world are attracted here by the mysterious legends that the castle was built on a rock in order to prevent demons from escaping the hellish gates, which once opened a long time ago under this rock. In support of these incredible events, there are texts from Czech chronicles of the 6th century, one of the authors of which V. Hajek, in a letter to his brother, told about the incident that happened to him near the town of Gouska. Moving through the forest, Vaclav heard an unusual crackle and immediately saw how evil forces began to get out from under the rock, turning into wild animals and scattering through the forest.
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The legend of the bottomless well
From mouth to mouth and from generation to generation, the legend has been passed that there is a bottomless well under the castle itself. At its bottom there is a labyrinth of underground passages, one of which leads to the gates of hell. Nobody knows how to get there, but nobody tried to do it. Only once did the owners of the castle decide to find out this secret. Which of the owners dared to undertake such an adventure, history is silent about it. They decided to use a criminal sentenced to death for this purpose. Instead of the dangerous exploration of the castle dungeons, the suicide bomber was supposed to get freedom.
Inspired by such a tempting offer, the convict agreed and sank to the bottom of the well. But, not walking even a few steps, he screamed desperately, demanding that he be immediately dragged to the surface. When the criminal was upstairs, everyone saw with horror his face twisted with horror and suddenly gray hair. The man was not himself and kept repeating that he saw the devil in hell, and a few days later he suddenly died. The frightened inhabitants of these places began to throw stones at the terrible well, unsuccessfully trying to fill it up. However, stones fell down and disappeared into a hellish hole. The then owner of the castle, Wartenberg, took three whole years to finally brick up the mysterious well. For greater reliability, a chapel was built on the site of the well, which is still considered one of the most mysterious chapels in Central Europe.
Inexplicable and mysterious phenomena are observed on the territory of the Gouska castle even today. From time to time, a large number of birds die near its walls for inexplicable reasons. Many animals avoid these places, and dogs stubbornly ignore the orders of their owners and do not enter the territory of the castle. Quite healthy people in the chapel feel unwell, and some visitors even faint.
Mysteries of Gouska Castle
Sometimes terrible voices, wild screams and plaintive groans are heard from the hellish well. Scientists are trying to explain these mysterious phenomena by the presence of the radioactive element radon, found in large quantities in the soils of this area. However, no one denies the paranormal phenomena existing in the castle. Therefore, from time to time, researchers work here, studying the unexplained facts.
There are plenty of unexplained moments in this mysterious place. Based on the place where the Gouska castle is located, it is difficult to understand why it was built. Its location on a cliff among forests, away from water sources, busy roads and settlements does not fit in with rational calculation. Even if we assume that its purpose was a security function, then questions arise here too.
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The location of the walls and towers of the building is designed in such a way that they are not protection from the enemy from the outside, but restrain the onslaught of the forces inside. Despite the fact that the Czech kingdom was outside the castle, according to the chronicles, a military garrison was constantly present here. That is, something strange was guarded in this castle and tried not to let it out. The images of the archangels Michael and Gabriel on the frescoes in the old part of the castle help to lift the veil over this mystery. Indeed, in the Orthodox faith, these archangels oppose demons. In the castle of Gouska you can see the throne of the Devil and St. Christoph, an Orthodox martyr who suffered for his faith, depicted above it. On the unique frescoes of the 13th - 14th centuries, you can see legendary scenes depicting the battles of the archangels with the forces of darkness.
All these images may not exist here by chance, but indicate the credibility of ancient legends. Believe these legends or not, everyone decides for himself. But this mysterious place is worth visiting. The castle often hosts exhibitions on historical themes, as well as interesting costumed performances. However, even today it is impossible to enter the dungeons of the castle. Maybe this is fortunate.
