Originally a princely stronghold in Bechyně, mentioned as early as the 9th century, it is located on the southernmost rocky promontory above the confluence of the Smutná stream and the Lužnice River. Before 1268, King Přemysl Otakar II acquired the "desolate hill of Bechyně" from the property of the Prague bishops and built a stone castle there. During the reign of King John of Luxembourg, a town surrounded by walls was founded in the outer bailey of the castle in 1323. Significant fortifications were added to the castle in the 15th century.
From the 1270s, the ownership of Bechyně changed hands several times. In 1340, Bechyně was in the possession of the Lords of Šternberk (again from 1477 to 1530 and subsequently from 1596 to 1715), from whom it was acquired by Margrave Jošt in 1367. Under the Bechyně family of Lažany, the city was burned by the Hussite commander Jan Hvězda of Vícemilice between 1422 and 1423. However, the castle was captured by Prokop the Great only in 1428.
The oldest seat, which was rebuilt primarily in 1477 and later between 1510 and 1527, still retains parts of two longitudinal buildings, connected by a transverse wing, which was added during the Renaissance to the newly constructed so-called Vok Castle. The fourth wing, which completed the southern side of the courtyard, was demolished in 1791.