Spilberk Castle

During the later Middle Ages the castle was expanded and reinforced as political conditions in the region shifted. Various Moravian margraves and royal administrators used the site as a residence and military base. Defensive walls, towers, and service buildings were gradually added, reflecting the increasing importance of the fortress within regional governance.

Following the Thirty Years’ War, the Habsburg authorities transformed Špilberk into a major Baroque fortress. Extensive bastioned fortifications, casemates, and artillery defenses were constructed to adapt the medieval structure to early modern warfare. The fortress formed part of a defensive network intended to secure Moravia against external threats.

By the late 18th century the fortress gained a reputation as a high-security prison within the Habsburg Empire. Political prisoners, revolutionaries, and members of nationalist movements were held in the harsh conditions of the underground casemates. The prison became particularly known for housing Italian Carbonari revolutionaries in the early 19th century.

After the decline of its military role, the complex was gradually repurposed for cultural and civic use. Špilberk Castle now houses the Brno City Museum, which presents exhibitions on the city’s history, the fortress’s military past, and the experiences of prisoners once held there. The surrounding hilltop park and restored buildings make it one of Brno’s most visited historical landmarks.