The history of the Chateau St. Havel dates back to the 13th century Chateau appears for the first time in Vyšehrad´s property records from 1273. At that time, the facility was used as a fortress and provided shelter in case of military danger. In 1420, the Hussites, led by Jan Žižka of Trocnov, captured the fort while rallying to defend Prague against Emperor Sigmund´s army. The premises then passed into the ownership of the city of Prague. In the 16th century, occupiers of the chateau were frequently changing; thus, in 1620, it was reported as deserted and derelict.