Most likely, the moat exists as long as the castle grounds, thus from the second half of the 13th century. It had been adjusted and extended during the first half of the 15th century. Nowadays, the deepest part is under the north-eastern bridge, where the depth reaches 14,5 meters. Under the southern bridge, it is only 10,5 meters deep. The width of the moat is 23 meters.
Many wastes and refuse usually end up at the bottom of castle moats. The experts assume that the former base of our castle moat is two meters deeper than the present one. Those two meters are made of waste collected over the centuries. However, what used to be waste, now becomes a precious source of knowledge and research for archaeologists. Still, excavating the sediment to its original level is not yet planned.
The accounting registers of the burgrave Jan Zúbka in 1390-91 document the existence of the original moat. Inside those registers, there are records about the construction maintenance expenses. During one of the accounting periods, from October 16th to April 23rd, the burgrave recorded the money spent on picking the loose stones from the castle moat. The note mentions payment for two servants picking the stone in the castle moat for three days.
During the second half of the 15th century and the late gothic reconstruction, the moat had enlarged to the size you can see today. The cause of the rebuilding of the fortification has been the formation of the bastions. Although, the castle had lost its military importance in the 17th century, the moat has been maintained, still. Moreover, it has been used as the deer pen, as shown in the 19th-century engraving. The deer used to be kept there until the 1970s.
Kamenné schody do příkopu, Jarmila Sajtlová, léto 2022
Pohled z příkopu na hrad, Jarmila Sajtlová, léto 2022
Zasněžený hradní příkop
| Period | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1. 11.-30. 11. | closed | |
| 1. 12.-31. 12. | closed |
This tour includes the interiors and outdoor spaces of the parkan fortification wall with commentary on the development of the castle construction. The exhibit recalls the history of the Buquoy family from the arrival of the founder of the family branch in Bohemia, Karel Bonaventura Buquoy, to after the construction of the new castle on the...
this tour is not available today
200 CZK (full admission) Buy ticket
duration 50 minutes
max. 30 people
reservation needed for groups only
The tour includes route II and the tower. A view into the apartment of a manorial official at a time set in the early 20th century. Five room apartment newly installed in the authentic spaces of the palace, which was adapted into apartments for manor employees in the 19th century. At the end of the tour route there is a unique opportunity to view...
this tour is not available today
220 CZK (full admission)
duration 60 minutes
max. 20 people
reservation needed for groups only
A view into the six-room apartment of the estate steward of the early 20th century. At the end of the tour there is a unique opportunity to view the courtyard of the castle and the town from a wooden courtyard balcony. Exhibits from the 19th and early 20th centuries include a comprehensive set of furniture from the estate of a Nové Hrady...
this tour is not available today
200 CZK (full admission) Buy ticket
duration 45 minutes
max. 20 people
reservation needed for groups only
Combined tour routes I., II. and III.
this tour is not available today
360 CZK (full admission)
duration 90 minutes
max. 20 people
reservation needed for groups only
Ascent to the tower of Nové Hrady castle, which is the second highest tower in Nové Hrady, after the tower of the Church of St. Peter and Paul (not open to the public). The tower was built to its current height in the second half of the 18th century. Although we have reports on construction activity in the castle at this time from the years...
this tour is not available today
80 CZK (full admission)
duration 15 minutes
max. 10 people
reservation not necessary