Švihov castle was built by the House of Rýzmberk ze Skály (noble family). It was besieged by the Hussites during Hussite wars, the garrison surrendered after their water moats were siphoned. It was rebuilt between 1480 and 1489 by the order of the castle's owner, Puta Schwihau von Riesenberg, in the Late Gothic style. His sons continued in rebuilding the castle after he died and invited a famous architect Benedikt Reid. In 1598 Kavkové z Říčan (noble family) took the control of the castle, but were forced to sell it to Czernins of Chudenitz 50 years later in 1598, due to their poor management.