The ruins of Frymburk Castle are a place where history and wild nature blend together, dominated by a massive round tower that still impresses visitors today. Dating back to the 14th century, this castle may be in ruins, but enough of its walls remain to hint at its former grandeur as the seat of powerful noble families, including the Trčka of Lípa.

Perched on a rocky ridge near Nový Hrádek, the castle is surrounded by forest that gives it a mysterious, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. In spring and summer, green foliage contrasts with the grey stone walls, in autumn the surroundings glow with color, and in winter, once the leaves fall, the outline of the old fortifications and moat becomes clearer. The forest silence combined with the sight of the nearly 18-meter-wide tower makes a lasting impression.

How to get there

• Nový Hrádek — marked trail, approx. 30-45 minutes, easy difficulty
• Also accessible from the direction of the nearby former gamekeeper's lodge below the castle

Practical information

• The castle is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic
• A rope adventure park was built in the outer bailey shortly before 2020
• The walls, especially the tower, are gradually deteriorating — part of the tower's facing wall collapsed in 2014, so caution is advised

The castle witnessed the turbulent Hussite era and was later burned down by the Swedish commander Banner during the Thirty Years' War. Today, though roofless and without floors, it still impresses with the sheer scale of its once-mighty tower.