It looks forbidding because it is forbidding. It's on a very steep hill and towers immediately of the historic centre of the city of Brno. It's a prison but this time it isn't an island. It has been in existence for over 700 years, first as a palace, then a fortress and then a prison. Finally it became a barracks and now it is the City Museum in Brno, in the Czech Republic.
Even as a fortress, it did contain a prison, and from the 17th to 18th centuries it contained high-ranking military prisoners. In 1783 it became a civil prison, then later it held political prisoners and state prisoners. It wasn't until 1855 that it became barracks. However on two further occasions it held prisoners, during the two world wars. No wonder it appears to have such a forbidding appearance.
what a creepy place. Thanks for sharing this piece of history.
ReplyDeleteNot an attractive place at all - I don't think I'd care to live in its shadow ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a past this place has had. I really don't think I would care to find myself there at night.
ReplyDeleteIt looks pretty darn sinister! I imagine they put the worst of the worst there.
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