Kost Castle is located in Jičín District, North Bohemia of the Czech Republic. The fortress was built in 14th century by Peter von Wartenberg.
Location: Jičín District, North Bohemia Map
Constructed: 14th century by Peter von Wartenberg
The name of Kost Castle ("Kost") means "a bone" implying that the castle is hard as a bone and can't be taken. A local legend states that during Hussite wars of the most prominent generals of the rebellion Jan Žižka, besieged the castle. His plan was simple. He did not want to loose men storming the citadel, but he had to take this strategic location. So he decided to starve the garrison of the fortress to death. The siege achieved its result, but partially. The defenders cut their ration of food to a minimum until they ate everything but a bottle of wine and boar's head. So Kost Castle defenders resorted to a trick. They organized a laud banquet. Their cups were empty and so is the plates, but they screamed, sang and rattled silverware. Eventually the leader of the defenders got on the castle's wall and screamed to the Hussites that they are full and they would like to share part of their dinner. He threw down a bottle of wine and boar's head.
Jan Žižka and his men assumed that he greatly underestimated the provisions that were inside the castle. To evade mutiny among his soldiers, Hussite general ordered his men to retreat. The only thing he said to the defenders was: "the castle is hard as a bone, but bones can satisfy only dogs". Today Kost Castle is returned to a family that historically owned the castle, but it is open to the public. It has several exhibitions of art, weapons and torture chamber along with various tools of the trade.