Wessenstein, also known as Mojžíř Castle, is a vanished medieval fortress perched on Strážný Hill above the district of Mojžíř on the edge of Ústí nad Labem. It's not the kind of place you'll find crowded with tourists - instead, it rewards curious hikers with a quiet sense of discovery among forgotten ruins.

What remains today are earthwork traces and small fragments of masonry scattered among rocky outcrops on an oval-shaped hilltop. The eastern side was once protected by a curved moat, and it's here that the last remnants of walls still survive. The hill is wooded, offering cool shade in summer, while autumn and winter strip back the foliage to reveal the subtle contours of the old fortifications more clearly. Views over the Elbe river valley add to the atmosphere of quiet abandonment.

How to get there

• From Mojžíř, starting at the Church of St. Simon and St. Jude, along U Fary street - no marked trail, unpaved field path, moderate difficulty depending on fitness
• The path bends north before you head straight east and climb the slope of Strážný Hill to reach the castle remains

Since no marked trail leads to the site, bringing a map or GPS is a good idea - this is a destination for more adventurous hikers comfortable navigating on their own.

The name Wessenstein likely stems from a historical mix-up with the German castle Weesenstein near Dohna - the true origins of the name may instead trace back to the lords of Lungvice.