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The first reliable
The castle was built in the first half of 14th century at the latest. Dating on the wooden construction components provides us with reliable data (the oldest component dates back to 1352).
During the first phase of development, a keep (or bergfrit) was erected, which served as a defensive tower, and a residence was built on the site of toady of today’s Pluh Palace. Later (after 1352), a tower was constructed, which was supposed to serve as a new residence, but the plans were changed and thus a chapel the height of its three floors was built in the unfinished tower. The altar was not orientated towards the East, but, in regard of the predisposition of the tower, towards the North. In the chapel, there is a unique collection of mural paintings in al secco technique (painted on dried plaster) dating back to 1360. Around 1400, the building was damaged, probably during an earthquake. The walls cracked. After
In 1495, the Pluhs of Rabštejn came into possession of the demesne and because they developed tin mining in the area, they had the castle rebuilt considerably – the interiors of the donjon were remodelle, the earliest building behind the keep was rebuilt in Renaissance style (and called the Pluh Palace to this day),and the donjon and the chapel tower were connected by a wing, which served for formal and representative purposes (feasts, celebrations, etc.).
In 1624, the demesne was acquired by Questenberds. The castle served as an imperial garrison until
During the Thirty Years‘ War, the castle began to be used as a barraks for agricultural purposes. The change in use of the castle buildings brought extensive repairs in 1641.
In 1656, after the experience of the Thirty Years‘ War, the Questenbergs added a bastion above the moat to increase the defenses. This bastion was then incorporated into the lower tower in 18th century, and became a part of this newly built palace.
In 1752, Jan Adam Questenbeg died and the desmense was inherited by Domink Ondřej Kounic the younger. (a nephew of his second wife).
In 1813 the demesne was bought by Frederic August Beaufort-Spontini, the last govenor of the Austrian Netherlands, who had tried and failed to create Belgian Kingdom with a Habsburg on the throne. He then chose to move his family to Austria, a place that was not affected by revolutionary movements like those in France and Belgium.
The Shrine of St Maurus was bought from the ecclesiastical authorities by his son Alfred Beaufort-Spontini. Alfred had the estate,including the castle complex,refashioned in 19th century.He envisaged a remodelling of the medieval castle into a Romantic chateau, which was supposed to be connected to the Baroque Palace in concept created by Josef Zítek. However, due to finacial limitations, only the Palace Chapel was redecorated.
After 1840, the remains of the medieval fortifications were blown up off and this act probably caused the partial damage in the Castle Chapel. The medieval Castle was then used as a granary in that period.
The agricultural use of the building left most of the decoration and fittings in the medieval castle preserved (historic furnishings – a built-in cupboard and window seats dating back to the construction of the castle, Gothic ceiling joists with floral paintings, flamboyant Gothic portals, roofing dating bak to 1641 and 1720). Compared with other castles in Czech Republic, medieval features are quite preserved at Bečov.
The grand-son of Alfred, Heinrich and his wife Adelheid Sylva-Tarouca built a large landscape park, once comparable to the famous park at Průhonice.
The Beaufort-Spontini family were supporters of the Sudeten Nazi party, and afer World War II the family were forced to leave,due to the Presidential Decrees of 25th October 1945 concerning the confiscation of enemy belongings and estates, issued by Edvard Beneš.
Later on, the New Palace served as a school and the Pluh Palace and the medieval Castle became a museum. In 1969, the whole estate came under the control of the Office for Historical Monuments in Plz and reconstruction works began. Finally in 1996, the Baroque (New) Palace opened to the public.An exhibiton on West Bohemian Gothic had been plann, which was replaced with a displey of objects from the confiscated collections of the Beauforts,which is now located on the second floor the first floor is dedicated to the unique Romanesque St Maurus Shrine.
