10 worthwhile castle ruins

Old abandoned castles – witnesses to past events and the relentless march of time, erstwhile homes to the Czech nobility, places where memorable events

once took place, locations where episodes of history and famous battles took place, as well as the settings for romantic tales and interesting stories. This is what castle ruins are all about, so why not set off on a trip today?

Janův Castle at Lednice - South Moravia Region
These ruins enhance the mysterious atmosphere of the wonderful landscaped park at Lednice. Walk both tour routes and imagine the wild celebrations which once took place after successful hunts, the aristocratic huntsmen boasting of what they’d bagged that day and ladies dancing in amazing dresses.
The hunting lodge was used for feasting after hunting from the beginning of the 19th century. There were stable-rooms for horses, premises for cooking of hunted game and for entertainment of the nobility. A princely gamekeeper stayed here out of hunting.

Děvičky Castle - South Moravia Region
Ruins of gothic royal Děvičky Castle (also called Dívčí hrady, Maidberk or Maidenburg), that dominate a distinct hill in the Pálava Protected Landscape Area, form a dominant feature in the landscape – the outline of the hill with the castle are already visible from Brno. It is thus logical that the view from the castle over the surrounding countryside is breathtaking. But it must be pointed out that the price of a visit to this monument is the somewhat demanding ascent.
There are three rocks in front of the castle. As a legend says, that are three maidens turned into stone and the castle was named after it.

The ruins of Lichnice Castle - East Bohemia Region
Lichnice Castle was built atop a promontory above the River Třemošnice in the late 13th century. Visitors can officially access the castle from May to October, but the ruins are freely accessible at any time of year. In the surrounding area you’ll find the Lovětínská Gorge, Žižka’s Oak, and Krkanka. All this means you can combine a visit to Lichnice with forays into the castle’s surroundings.

Michalovice Tub - Bohemian Paradise Region
The favourite castle of Karel Hynek Mácha above the romantic valley of the River Jizera close to the town of Mladá Boleslav, with a beautiful view from the robust tower known as “the Tub”, which visibly leans nowadays thanks to treasure hunters and construction of the railway below the castle.

Vranov Castle and Pantheon - Bohemian Paradise Region
Around 8 km from Turnov, in the village of Malá Skála, the imposing cliff above the river Jizera is the site of the clifftop castle of Vranov, now better known as the Pantheon. Nearly 400 m in length, it is regarded as the most complex clifftop castle in Bohemia.

Ruined castle of Andělská Hora - West Bohemian Spa Region
An important pilgrimage site in the Carlsbad Region is Angels’ Mount with the ruins of a castle and the pilgrimage chapel of the Holy Trinity from 1712, notable for its shape as a perfect equilateral triangle.
The castle was founded in the late 14th century by Lords of Osek and played an important role at the Hussite wars. The German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe visited the castle in 1786.

Rabí – Šumava Region
An impressive complex of several courtyards, castle halls and extensive cellars with natural stalactite decorations. An observation tower, which is 26 meter high, is a dominant feature of the castle.
The medieval castle with Romanesque foundations played an important role in Bohemia in former times. It protected a trade route between the towns of Sušice and Horažďovice and rich placer of gold on Otava River. It was the reason, why the castle often became a target of attacks. Hussite leader Jan Zizka of Trocnov tried to win the castle two-time and paid for it with his other eye.
An exhibition of Medieval tiles, including replicas of late-Gothic tile stoves, is located in the castle hall. In the summer season, you can also visit the Apiary.

Ruins of Zubštejn - Vysočina Region
The ruins of this castle are located on the top of an elongated hill about 10 kilometres north of Pernštejn Castle and form a dominant feature in the surroundings of Pivonice. Zubštejn was not very expansive, because its dimensions were determined by the peak of the hill on which it was built. It was protected on the northern side by a wide and deep moat.

Dívčí Kámen - South Bohemia Region
The romantic ruins of Dívčí Kámen Castle can be found on a high rock in the beautiful countryside above the confluence of the Křemžský Stream and the River Vltava between the cities of České Budějovice and Český Krumlov. The castle is one of the most extensive and best preserved medieval monuments in the Czech Republic.

Krašov Castle - Plzeň Region
The picturesque ruins of Krašov Castle stand on a rocky promontory on the left bank of the River Berounka southeast of Kralovice in the Plzeň Region. Krašov is one of the oldest aristocratic castles in our country. To this very day, it is possible to admire the remains of buildings in the farming area in front of the castle – the brewery, malt house, blacksmith’s shop, brick kiln and two cellars.