Kuchlov is an almost vanished ruin of a medieval castle, tucked away in the valley of the Malá Haná between the villages of Ruprechtov and Rychtářov. This is a spot for those who enjoy uncovering history where crowds never go - just quiet forest and mysterious earthworks hiding secrets from seven centuries ago.

The castle was built in the second half of the 13th century and stood for only a few decades before falling into ruin around the turn of the 14th century. Today the layout is still clearly visible on the ground - a trapezoidal core surrounded by a massive rampart, and a five-sided outer bailey separated by a ditch. Walking among these forest-covered remains has a special atmosphere, especially in autumn when mist drifts over the stream, or in spring when the woods come alive. It is a place for lovers of quiet walks and regional history.

How to get there

• Turn off from the marked trail leading from Rychtářov - easy to moderate route, some sections and crossroads lack waymarking
• The stretch between Stagnov and Kuchlov follows a small road along an unnamed stream and the Malá Haná river

Practical information

• Freely accessible year-round, no entrance fee
• Protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1970
• Less than a kilometer away as the crow flies lies another ruin - Stagnov Castle (Hrádek)

Interesting fact: the name Kuchlov is not original - it comes from the name of a forest tract first recorded in the 16th century, and the castle's true original name remains unknown to this day.