Founded in the first half of the 13th century as a royal castle for the defence of Brno. After the 17th century it served as a provincial fortress, and in the 18th and 19th centuries was a prison for political inmates, called the prison of nations of the Habsburg monarchy. In 1939-1940 it was prison of the Brno Gestapo, and afterwards served as a military building. Since 1960 it has been the headquarters of the Brno City Museum. There is a permanent exhibit in the castle`s casemates, and a new exhibition entitled Spilberk - Prison of Nations, as well as displays on Brno history and the City Museum gallery, are currently being prepared in the northern wing.