I have been wanting to go here to Děčín to see this fortress on the Elbe River(Labem river). So on this cloudy and cold Sunday(the sun never did come out), I boarded the Fast Train this morning at 8:31 for the hour and a half ride north toward Germany. Děčín is only a couple Km from Germany and known as a border city.
The beginning of Děčín dates back to the end of the 13th century when this town was founded by Přemysl Otakar II. It is known for it's 16th century Fortress. In 1669, the Castle received a Baroque "Make-over" and a new access road called The Long Ride Lane was added/built. "The Long Ride Lane" is 292 m long with bordering stone walls 7,5 m in heigth leading all the way to the gate at the front entrance to the Castle. There is also a small Baroque Rose Garden which dates from 1678 up there on the castle grounds.
Yet another reconstruction in the 1790s gave the castle its present contemporary and Classicist look. The castle was used as military quarters in the early 1930's and while the communists were in power a Soviet Army Garrison was billeted there. They caused extensive damage to the castle (I mean WHY would people do that!).
The castle is currently undergoing yet another reconstruction, but really only a Repair; this time to repair the damages left by the Russians and to make the Castle complex into a vibrant tourist attraction (about half of the work looks to be done).
Oh yeah...the bottom picture is NOT the Castle, it was a Home at one point and now is a Restaurant up on the cliffs over looking the Elbe River.
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