The ruins of Kyšperk Castle - also known as Geiersberg or Supí hora - hide on a narrow ridge above Unčín in the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory). This is a spot for travelers who prefer authentic, overgrown ruins with real history over polished tourist attractions.

Standing on a spur of Supí hora at roughly 450 metres above sea level, the castle's three-part layout is still legible on the ground. A wide moat, the remains of a square gate tower, fragments of the outer bailey walls, and traces of the great residential tower built under Archbishop Jan z Jenštejna all speak of a place that survived fires, Hussite sieges and centuries of decline. Spring and autumn, when the foliage thins out, are the best times to appreciate the views over the surrounding hills, and the quiet solitude here lets the weight of history sink in without crowds.

How to get there

• From Unčín - approach along the fortified hillside path, moderate difficulty depending on trail conditions
• Check current trail markings near Teplice before setting out, as alternative approaches exist from nearby villages

Good to know

• The ruins are protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic
• No visitor facilities on site - bring your own supplies

After the Hussite victory at the Battle of Ústí nad Labem in 1426, around three hundred fleeing soldiers of Kateřina of Meissen's army reportedly died near the castle, exhausted by heat and wounds as they tried to escape through the pass by Kyšperk and Krupka.