THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The castle is said to be haunted by the Zvíkovský Rarášek, with reports of ghosts, strange photos, electromagnetic anomalies and spectral fire hounds.
Zvíkov Castle, often called the "king of Czech castles," is a medieval fortress above the confluence of the Vltava and Otava rivers. The castle is traditionally associated with the Zvíkovský Rarášek, an imp-like supernatural being said to haunt the ancient Markomanka tower. Reported phenomena include strange photographs, technical malfunctions, unusual animal behavior, fires extinguishing without explanation, electromagnetic anomalies and ghostly presences. Legend also claims that sleeping in the main tower may bring death within a year. Another story describes spectral fire hounds, sometimes said to have burning eyes, guarding a hidden tunnel beneath the castle.