Discover Enchanted Forest Castles, Quaint Châteaux, Hidden Treasures, and Romantic, Overlooked Gems in the Czech Republic

If you love exploring the countryside for hidden gems, you’ll enjoy suggestions for places tucked away in the forests. For instance, a visit to Janohrad in the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape is a fantastic choice, featuring intriguing man-made ruins. You can also check out the remnants of Heiligen Castle near Tachov, stroll through the beautiful gardens of Valeč Castle, visit the Jinotaj summer residence where the director Juraj Herz filmed the horror movie T.M.A., explore the Lusthaus summer residence in the Podyjí area, or discover the ruins of a Classicist manor house that once stood in a pheasantry near Svijany.

The youngest castle in the Czech Republic

Located around halfway between Strakonice and Vodňany, near Kváskovice, you’ll find a castle perched on a wild, overgrown hill called Švecburg. This is the newest castle in the Czech Republic, having been constructed around fifteen years ago. It features two towers, a few small rooms, a low wall with a gate, and a cozy shelter with a bench, offering stunning views over the Pošumaví region. Close by, there is also a small niche chapel of St Hubert. If you’ve ever wondered how a castle could be built in the 21st century, consider that a fortress likely existed there once, which was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, and Švecburg was approved to be a hunting lodge with a view. The castle is open every day of the year and you are welcome to explore it at your leisure.

Kočičí hrádek

The only castle smaller than Švecburg may be Kočičí hrádek. Are you familiar with it? If not, make your way to Slatiňany and follow the circular nature trail leading to Kočičí hrádek. This tiny fairytale castle was built in the late 1800s by Princess Vilemína of Auersperg to bring joy to children, both her own and others. The castle is a popular stop for families with children enjoying walks through the Podhůra Forest. Nearby, you’ll find the Bára observation tower, a climbing wall, an outdoor gym, a winding trail, a historic fire watchtower, and Švýcárna, a cozy forest cottage with an exhibit focused on Starokladruby horse breeding.

The Větrný Zámek in the Vysočina Region

Rising between Jihlava and Pelhřimov is Křemešník Hill. This area is not just a pilgrimage site complete with a church and the Stations of the Cross; it also includes a hotel, a nature reserve, a viewing tower, and several other charming buildings, one of which is Větrný zámek. Built in the 1930s by sculptor and medallist Josef Šejnost based on architect Kamil Hilbert’s design, who was also involved in the completion of St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, the original vision for a medal museum is no longer in existence. Currently, the small castle featuring the Severka and Jitřenka towers is not open to visitors. However, seven ceramic ravens on the Jitřenka tower hint at Šejnost’s love for fairy tales. Sadly, the manor house was never finished, and the name of the third tower has been lost to time. Větrný Castle has changed hands many times, with each owner promising to complete it according to the initial plans. The good news is that the current owners are taking excellent care of both the castle and the surrounding area, and they’ve even created a comfy suite in the tower with the ravens where guests can stay.

Aichelburg Forest Castle

Aichelburg Forest Castle, located near Horní Maršov, was constructed in 1863 by the forest staff of the Maršov estate as a tribute to Count Berthold Aichelburg, who was known as a generous steward and patron in the eastern Krkonoše Mountains. Due to its remote location and lack of good transport links to Janské Lázně, Aichelburg didn’t quite meet its intended appeal; furthermore, the area was frequently at risk from avalanches and forest disasters. In a record from 1901, the forest lodge was described as a ruin, and photographs from the 1930s still depict a stone structure with a crumbling roof. After 1945, the name Aichelburg disappeared from maps, replaced simply by ‘hrádek’. On October 15, 1995, a group of enthusiasts gathered at the forest castle to start the Aichelburg Castle Society, a civic association dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating this charming structure. By 2000 , they had succeeded in opening a walking trail that leads to Aichelburg and in making the castle accessible to the public. Doesn’t that sound like a place you’d want to visit? Aichelburg is open year-round for you to explore freely.

Tips for trips to romantic and deserted ruins

Often, the most beautiful places are hidden away in quiet corners of the woods or located off the usual paths.

• • To the north of Rokycany is the village of Osek, which overlooks the rocky peak where the ruins of the Kamýk summer residence can be found. You can visit freely, just like the nearby Jewish cemetery.

• • Rohoznice is located not far from the highway connecting Prague and Hradec Králové. In the woods just outside the village, you’ll discover the ruins of a Neo-Gothic hunting lodge built in 1880, featuring a tower and battlements. It’s a beautiful yet melancholic spot where, unfortunately, time has not stood still.

• • Lískovice, where the woods on the eastern side of the village house the ruins of an old gamekeeper’s lodge. It was transformed into a small manor house with an impressive tower during Neo-Gothic renovations in the late 19th century. Although it is in a state of disrepair, it holds a special allure for fans of old, abandoned buildings.