Inaccessible Castles: Discover the impregnable fortresses of the Czech lands!

Many castles in Bohemia and Moravia were built as fortresses in hard-to-reach locations, such as on cliffs, above rivers or on hilltops. Ingenious fortifications, deep moats and a complex system of gates often meant that the defenders of these castles were able to withstand even powerful military attacks during the Hussite Wars and subsequently during the Thirty Years’ War. Some of these castles are now among the most significant historical monuments and, at the same time, popular destinations for Kudy z nudy tours.

Castles that gained a reputation for being impregnable include, for example, Pernštejn, Bezděz, Hazmburk, Hukvaldy, Kost, Trosky, Templštejn, Týřov, Lanšperk and Kašperk. Each of these castles has its own story – various factors, such as steep cliffs, ingenious fortifications or the clever defences of their owners, contributed to their impregnability.

Pernštejn – a fortress that withstood both the Catholics and the Swedes

The medieval Pernštejn Castle stands on a marble rock above the River Svratka near Nedvědice. Its construction took place between the 13th and 16th centuries. Thanks to its ingenious fortifications and inaccessible location, the castle gained a reputation as an almost impregnable fortress. During the Hussite Wars, Pernštejn sided with the Utraquists, and the siege by the Bishop of Olomouc was unsuccessful. The defenders were equipped with a number of unpleasant surprises, such as a moat with a drawbridge, hidden embrasures and narrow spiral staircases, which made the fighting considerably more difficult for the attackers.

The castle suffered its greatest damage during the Thirty Years’ War, during the Swedish siege in 1645. At that time, it lost the upper part of the Prismatic Tower by the gate of the second outer bailey, and cannonballs also damaged the Tower of the Four Seasons. Nevertheless, the castle survived the siege and, following repairs, was classified as one of the maintained provincial fortresses. Today, during a tour, you can visit, among other things, the mysterious Hall of Conspirators, which brings to life the dramatic history of this magnificent Moravian castle.

Bezděz – the castle the Hussites dared not attack

Bezděz Castle was founded by King Přemysl Otakar II and is one of the most impressive Gothic castles in our country. It stands atop a prominent hill above the Mácha Region and appears almost impregnable even from a distance. Its defences were reinforced by a sophisticated system of fortifications – the inner castle was accessed through a fifth gate, and the defenders’ last refuge was the thirty-metre-high Devil’s Tower with walls up to four metres thick. It is therefore no surprise that the Hussites, who had taken control of the surrounding region, never dared to attack Bezděz.

Nevertheless, its reputation is not entirely unblemished. In 1620, shortly after the defeat of the Estates’ Revolt, local subjects took refuge in the castle from the army of Maximilian of Bavaria. However, the inexperienced defenders soon succumbed to the superior numbers and the castle was plundered. Later, Albrecht von Wallenstein carried out modifications for military purposes. When visiting Bezděz, you should not miss the beautiful royal chapel, which is one of the finest examples of Gothic castle architecture in the Czech Republic.

Hazmburk – a secure vault for treasures

The two towers of Hazmburk Castle are among the most striking landmarks of the Bohemian Central Mountains. The castle was built in the second half of the 13th century on a steep basalt hill and, thanks to its location and well-designed fortifications, soon gained a reputation as an impregnable fortress. Some parts of the castle could only be accessed from the first floor – the oval Black Tower can only be reached via a suspended gallery. The entrances to other buildings within the castle were designed in the same way, which greatly facilitated defence.

Thanks to its security, Hazmburk was chosen in the 15th century as a hiding place for valuables from Prague Castle. During the Hussite Wars, precious liturgical vestments and other treasures were stored here. The castle began to fall into ruin when its owners moved to the more comfortable castle at Budyně nad Ohří.

Hukvaldy – a fortress that neither the Wallachians, Danes, Swedes nor Prussians could conquer

On the border between Wallachia and Lachia lies one of the largest castle complexes in Moravia – Hukvaldy Castle. This castle was built in the 13th century and its purpose was to protect an important trade route leading from Olomouc through northern Moravia to Poland.

Perched on a hard-to-reach hill with excellent fortifications, the castle soon gained a reputation as an impregnable fortress. One by one, everyone came up against a brick wall here: the Estates’ armies, Wallachian rebels and even General Mansfeld’s Danish forces. During the Thirty Years’ War, valuables were even transported to the castle from Olomouc out of fear of the Swedes, who, however, did not even attempt to capture it. Neither the Hungarian troops of Emerich Thököly nor the later attempts by Prussian forces in the 18th century were successful. Today, in Hukvaldy, you can stroll through the game reserve and the sprawling castle, which is one of the largest castle complexes in the Czech Republic.

Kost – a castle spotted at the very last moment

Kost Castle, situated in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise, was founded in the mid-14th century by Beneš of Vartenberg. Unlike many other castles, Kost is not situated on a hill, but in a deep valley at the junction of three rocky gorges. As a result, enemies often spotted the castle only at the last moment or ignored it entirely, which helped maintain its impregnability. The castle is also famous for a well-known legend about its name, which is said to have originated after a Hussite siege. According to this legend, after an unsuccessful attack, Jan Žižka is said to have declared that the castle was as solid as a bone, and that it supposedly belonged to a dog. In reality, however, the Hussites were led by someone else, and the name Kost appears as early as in the castle’s founding documents.

In addition to the massive trapezoidal White Tower, whose walls were better protected against artillery fire, the castle’s defences also included an ingenious system of ponds in the surrounding area. During a siege, it was possible to breach their dams and turn the area around the castle into a swamp that was difficult to traverse. The castle also survived the dramatic events of the Thirty Years’ War. The greatest disaster for Kost was a fire in 1635, although the castle was not set alight by enemies, but by the careless servants of Count Colloredo.

Trosky – a fortress between the Baba and Panna towers

The familiar silhouette of Trosky Castle is formed by two towers – Baba and Panna – built on the summits of basalt rock spouts. The castle was founded at the end of the 14th century by Čeněk of Vartemberk, who made use of the natural rock formations. Between the two peaks lay the inner castle with residential palaces, whilst the two towers stood on the rocks. The castle’s defence was ensured by a two-metre-wide wall, whilst water was supplied by a castle well located in the first courtyard. Inside the Panna, ingenious rainwater cisterns were carved into the rock, ensuring sufficient supplies in the event of a siege.

Although the castle faced several sieges – for example, during the Hussite Wars in 1424 – it was never conquered by military force. However, an interesting episode occurred around 1437, when a group of marauding knights led by Šof and his friend Švejkar seized Trosky by trickery. Their garrison defended itself against the provincial army and made raids into the surrounding area, but was eventually forced to leave in 1444.

Kašperk – the royal guardian of the Golden Trail

Kašperk Castle was built on the orders of the Roman Emperor and Czech King Charles IV. Its purpose was to guard the border with Bavaria, protect the surrounding gold deposits and oversee the important trade route known as the Golden Trail. This royal castle was built as a fortress with massive fortifications and two tall towers, which afforded a wide view of the surrounding area. Thanks to its location and defensive system, Kašperk was able to withstand several enemy attacks and was never conquered, not even during the turbulent period of the Hussite Wars.

Over time, the castle near Kašperské Hory lost its importance and began to fall into disrepair from the second half of the 16th century. After the Thirty Years’ War, there were proposals to demolish it to prevent its misuse during future conflicts, but this never actually happened. This means that today, as the highest-altitude royal castle in the Czech Republic, it is one of the most popular destinations for trips to the Šumava.

Křivoklát – a royal castle and a dreaded prison

Křivoklát Castle, located in the Central Bohemian Region, was probably built as early as the beginning of the 12th century, but its importance grew significantly during the reign of King Přemysl Otakar II, who transformed it into a prestigious royal residence. Thanks to its location deep within the Křivoklát forests, it was one of the best-protected castles, and during the Hussite Wars, the Czech crown jewels were kept here.

Křivoklát Castle also became famous as a dreaded state prison. A number of prominent prisoners spent a very long time in its dungeons – for example, Jan Augusta, the bishop of the Unity of the Brethren, who was imprisoned there for sixteen years. During the reign of Emperor Rudolf II, the famous alchemist Edward Kelley was also held several times in the tower known as Huderka. This castle, repeatedly destroyed by fire, was saved and restored to its present form by the Fürstenberg family.

Veveří – a fortress above the Brno Dam

Veveří Castle is one of the largest castle complexes in Moravia. It was originally built as a hunting lodge, but in the 14th century, when the Moravian Margrave John Henry, brother of Charles IV, chose it as his residence, it was significantly expanded and transformed into an important fortress protecting the area around Brno.

During the Hussite Wars, Veveří became a significant centre of royal power, and attempts to capture it mostly ended in failure. The turning point came during the Czech-Hungarian Wars in the second half of the 15th century, when the castle was taken by the troops of the Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus. However, George of Poděbrady soon regained control when the Hungarian garrison surrendered without a fight. Veveří also withstood the Swedish forces during the siege of Brno in 1645 during the Thirty Years’ War, but in 1741 the castle was captured by the Prussian army during the War of the Austrian Succession. An interesting fact is that in 1908, the then British politician Winston Churchill spent part of his honeymoon here with his wife Clementine.

Castles that still command respect

These castles, whether they withstood their enemies completely or were occasionally conquered for a time, share one common feature: they were designed as fortresses intended to protect rulers, trade routes and entire regions. That is why they stand today in locations with beautiful views of the countryside – and from these vantage points, it was possible to spot approaching enemies in good time.

Today, their ramparts are no longer patrolled by armed garrisons, but by visitors who come to admire the ingenious and beautiful medieval architecture and the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient fortresses. Whether you decide to visit Pernštejn, the rocky landscapes of the Bohemian Paradise or Kašperk, each of these castles stands as a reminder of a time when their fate was determined by the strength of their walls and the heroism of their defenders. Among the castles that were never conquered, we can also mention the ruins of Templštejn, Týřov, and perhaps Lanšperk, as well as Rýzmburk Castle.