Narodni kulturni pamatka hrad Rabi, 341 61 Rabi, tel.: 187/962 35
Rabi is 9 km to the north-east of Susice and south-west of Horazdovice on a rocky mountain (478 m) near the river Otava. The least demanding way to get there is get off in Zichovice and follow the yellow track (less than 2 km). In the direction towards Horazdovice there is Prachen, another castle ruin, which was, according to legends, connected with Rabi by an underground corridor.
From the River Otava's perspective, the castle magnificently stands out on the top of a rocky mountain ridge of crystalic limestone whereas from the town square viewpoint it can be hardly seen. It consists of three parts, gradually above each other, each with its own fortification. In our country it belonged to the biggest, hugest, and the best fortificated castles.
The most remarkable part of the castle is the huge tower in the middle - so called don-jon. It is the second biggest in the Czech Republic. There is also a 60 metres deep well. It is said that digging out the well was more expensive than building the whole castle.
For the first time the castle is mentioned in the 14th century. It was founded either by the House of Budetice or the House of Velhartice. The real importance of the castle began as late as by 1380 when it became the possession of Puta Svihovsky of Rozmberk.
The House of Svihovsky were the most important owners of the castle. Puta Svihovsky (a grand- grandson of the early mentioned Puta) rebuilt Rabi into a representative mansion. Puta, a head of the Supreme Court, actively participated in politics and made Rabi a place for various meetings and negotiations. After his death (1504) the dominion began to fall into pieces, the owners were changing, and the castle was turning to ruins.
From its rich history it is worth mentioning Hussite wars, when Rabi was captured by hussites with their leader Jan Zizka - legend says that it was Rabi where Jan Zizka lost his second eye. In the middle of 16th century the Ryzmberks - the owners of the castle were forced to sell the castle. It changed its owners many times from that time. From the 1954 it has been a state property.
Nowadays the castle is opened to the public and there are some other cultural events such concerts, exhibitions etc.
Tour Duration 90 min.
For groups of tourists it is possible to arrange tours on exact day and time only by written or phone agreement in advance. In case the given group does not come at least within 15 minutes before the ordered time, they lose the prior right to the tour.
Opening hours:
| April, October | June - August | September, May |
Monday | close | close | close |
Tuesday | close | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |
Wednesday | close | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |
Thursday | close | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |
Friday | close | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |
Saturday | 09:00 - 15:00 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |
Sunday | 09:00 - 15:00 | 09:00 - 17:00 | 09:00 - 16:00 |