Bohemian forces under Ottokar II destroyed a first fortification in 1263. Duke Bolko I the Strict had a new castle built from 1288 to 1292. The von Hochberg family held it from 1509 until 1944. The text says it was rebuilt in a lavish Renaissance style from the mid-16th century, while the infobox lists Gothic, Baroque and Rococo. The article names no architects. It has about 400 rooms and covers roughly 118,000 square feet (11,000 m²).
The German military took over the castle in 1944. It was linked to Project Riese, presumably a planned Führer Headquarters, which the article says is disputed. Forced laborers and Gross-Rosen inmates did construction work.
After the war, Soviet occupation led to demolition of parts of the structure and the theft or destruction of artifacts. Communist authorities used it as a recreation home and cultural center. It draws over 300,000 visitors a year, and wartime tunnels are open on guided tours.
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