Nebákov is a quietly atmospheric spot in the Bohemian countryside where a medieval castle once stood on a rocky spur above a picturesque pond. If you enjoy off-the-beaten-path history with beautiful natural surroundings, this little gem near Sobotka is well worth the detour.

The castle was built to make the most of its natural defences — steep slopes dropping down to Nebákov Pond and the Žlábka valley did most of the work. Today nothing stands above ground, but the spur itself is evocative, especially when morning mist drifts over the water below. In spring the meadows around the pond burst into colour, summer brings long golden evenings, and autumn turns the surrounding woodland into a rich tapestry of reds and oranges.

• Roveň u Sobotky village — approach on foot from this small village in the cadastral area; the castle site lies roughly 4.5 km north-northeast of Sobotka; moderate walk

• The site belongs to the cadastral area of Roveň u Sobotky, municipality of Mladějov
• No above-ground ruins remain — visit for the landscape, the pond views and the atmosphere

Nebákov gained a new kind of fame as a location in the Czech video game 'Kingdom Come: Deliverance II', where the castle, its pond and nearby mill all feature. Historically, the only documented person directly connected to the castle was a noblewoman named Machna Nebákovská, recorded in 1454.