Legends & stories of castles and châteaux

Bojnice Castle is a romantically remodelled historical landmark perched on a travertine hill beside the spa town of Bojnice.

Bratislava Castle is the capital's most iconic historical monument, proudly crowning a rocky outcrop of the Little Carpathians.

Budatín Castle, originally a lowland fortress at the confluence of the Kysuca and Váh rivers, is today a historic landmark in the Budatín district of Žilina and home to the Považie Museum.

Bytča Castle is a Renaissance landmark in the centre of Bytča on the Váh River, celebrated also for its neighbouring Wedding Palace.

Holíč Castle, originally a Gothic water castle, was transformed over the centuries into an impressive Baroque-Classicist manor on the western edge of the town of Holíč.

Krásna Hôrka is a majestic castle perched on a limestone hill above Krásnohorské Podhradie, renowned for its rich history and exceptionally well-preserved interiors.

The restored Slovenská Ľupča Castle commands a prominent hilltop position above the village in the Bystrická valley of the Zvolen Basin.

Smolenice Castle is a romantic residence rebuilt from a medieval fortress, majestically perched on a rocky hill on the border of the Little Carpathians and the Trnava Uplands.

Trenčín Castle is a large, extensively restored fortress rising directly above the town of Trenčín on a rocky spur of the Strážov Mountains.

Červený Kameň is a medieval castle perched on a quartzite crag in the Little Carpathians near the village of Častá, now one of the most visited museums in Slovakia.

Kapušany Castle is an impressive ruin perched on an andesite rocky spur of the Spiš-Šariš Highlands above the village of Kapušany.

Kežmarok Castle, erected on the site of a 13th-century medieval church, is one of the most significant historical landmarks in northern Slovakia.

Nitra Castle rises on a limestone hill in the heart of the city of Nitra, close to Zobor Hill near the end of the Tríbeč mountain range.

Oravský Castle is a jewel of medieval architecture perched on a limestone crag above the Orava River, commanding the village of Oravský Podzámok.

Plavecký Castle is an impressive ruin perched on a limestone hill of the Little Carpathians, overlooking the Záhorie lowlands directly above the village of Plavecké Podhradie.

Považský Castle is a picturesque ruin perched on a limestone rock above the Váh River, situated approximately three kilometres north of Považská Bystrica.

Pustý hrad is one of Slovakia's oldest castles, divided into a lower and an upper section, and it towers above the Zvolen Basin on the edge of the Javorie mountain range.

Spiš Castle is a vast, partially conserved ruin perched on a travertine rock, dominating the eastern part of the Hornád Basin above the town of Spišské Podhradie.

Starhrad is a castle ruin perched on a limestone promontory above the Domašín meander of the Váh River in the Little Fatra, near the village of Nezbudská Lúčka.

Topoľčany Castle is an impressive ruin perched on a dolomite crag above the village of Podhradie, located in the eastern part of the Považský Inovec geomorphological unit.

Turniansky Castle is a romantic ruin perched on a limestone spur of the Zádiel Plateau above the village of Turňa nad Bodvou in the Slovak Karst.

Beckov Castle is a partly conserved ruin perched on a rocky cliff of the Považský Inovec range directly above the village of Beckov.

The ruins of Blatnica Castle are located on the limestone ridge of Plešovica hill, roughly 2 km from the village of Blatnica, on the boundary between Gaderská Valley and the Turčianska Basin.

Branč Castle is a partially restored ruin perched on a rocky ridge of the Myjava Hills above the village of Podbranč in the Senica district.

Brekov Castle is a medieval ruin perched on a limestone hill in the Vihorlat Mountains, overlooking the scenic valley of the Laborec River.

Devín is a preserved castle ruin perched on a limestone cliff at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, forming part of the Bratislava borough of Devín.

The partially conserved ruin of Divín Castle stands on a wooded hill directly above the village of Divín, in the Cinobania foothills of the Revúca Highlands.

Dobrá Voda Castle is a romantic ruin perched on a rocky, forested hilltop in the Little Carpathians, offering an unforgettable atmosphere and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Fiľakovo Castle stands on a steep volcanic rock of the Cerová Highlands right in the centre of the town of Fiľakovo.

Gýmeš is a Gothic castle ruin perched on a quartzite summit of the Tríbeč mountains, overlooking the village of Jelenec near Nitra.

The ruins of Hajnáčka Castle stand on a basalt volcanic crag above the village of Hajnáčka in the Cerová Highlands.

Hodejov Castle is a ruin situated on a steep volcanic hill above the village cemetery in Hodejov, located between Fiľakovo and Rimavská Sobota.

Hričov Castle is a romantic ruin perched on a rocky spur of the Súľov Hills, towering above the village of Hričovské Podhradie.

Hrušov Castle is a picturesque ruin situated on the quartzite ridge of the Tríbeč mountain range, south of the village of Skýcov.

Korlátka is a Gothic castle ruin set on a rocky spur of the Little Carpathians, near the village of Cerová – Rozbehy.

Lednica Castle is a romantic ruin perched on a limestone crag in the White Carpathians, rising directly above the village of Lednica.

Lietava Castle is an extensive castle ruin situated on the rocky Skalky ridge in the Súľov Rocks, belonging to the village of Lietava.

Likava Castle is a medieval ruin perched on a hilltop in the Choč Mountain foothills, roughly one kilometre north of the village of Likavka in the Ružomberok district.

Modrý Kameň, the smallest town in Slovakia, is home to Gothic castle ruins and a well-preserved Baroque manor house on the edge of the Krupinská Planina plateau.

Muráň Castle is a scenic ruin perched on the hill of Cigánka with a dolomitic limestone cap, towering above the village of Muráň in the Muráň Plateau.

Ostrý Kameň is a picturesque castle ruin set on the limestone crags of the Zárub ridge above the village of Buková, near Smolenice.

Pajštún is a medieval castle ruin set on a limestone crag in the Small Carpathians above the village of Borinka, a popular excursion destination near Bratislava.

Revište Castle is a picturesque ruin perched on a steep andesite hill at the eastern edge of the Vtáčnik range, overlooking the Žiar Basin near the village of Revištské Podzámčie.

Sitno Castle is a romantic ruin perched on andesite rocks on the southeastern spur of the highest peak in the Štiavnica Hills, within the cadastral area of the village of Ilija near Banská Štiavnica.

The ruins of Slanec Castle, perched on an andesite cone, form a prominent landmark of the village of Slanec on the edge of the Slanské vrchy hills.

Strečno Castle is an impressive conserved ruin perched on a rocky cliff of the Malá Fatra mountains, dominating the Váh valley near the village of Strečno.

Súľov Castle is one of the smallest castle ruins in Slovakia, perched on a conglomerate peak amid the Súľov Rocks.

Tematín is a picturesque medieval castle ruin set on a rocky spur of the Považský Inovec range near Nové Mesto nad Váhom.

The ruins of Vršatec Castle stand on limestone crags of the Vršatec Rocks, forming a dramatic landmark of the White Carpathians above the village of Vršatské Podhradie.

Zborov is a picturesque castle ruin perched on a forested hill of the Ondavská vrchovina highlands above the village of Zborov in the Bardejov district.

Čabraď is a Gothic castle ruin perched on a rocky spur encircled on three sides by the Litava River, located in the Krupina Plateau southeast of the village of Čabradský Vrbovok.

Čachtice Castle stands on a limestone-dolomite hill within the Čachtice Karst in the northernmost part of the Little Carpathians, above the gorge of the Jablonka stream, between the villages of Čachtice and Višňové.

Čičva is a ruined medieval castle from the 13th century, situated on a hilltop in the Beskyd Foothills above the village of Sedliská.

Šomoška is a carefully conserved castle ruin perched on a basalt hill in the Cerová Highlands, directly on the border with Hungary.

Šášov Castle is a striking ruin set on a steep cliff above the Hron River at the edge of the Štiavnica Hills, belonging to the village of Šášovské Podhradie.

Zvolen Castle is a well-preserved Gothic structure with a Renaissance superstructure, rising above the Slatina stream in the very heart of the city of Zvolen.

Betliar Manor near Rožňava is a historic noble residence built on the foundations of a medieval Gothic fortress.

The restored Baroque-Classicist manor house in the village of Svätý Anton, near Banská Štiavnica, is one of the most significant architectural landmarks in central Slovakia.

The manor house near Sereď stands on the site of a historic water castle by the Váh River, close to the district of Šintava.

Ľubovniansky Castle is a partially preserved medieval fortress perched on a limestone crag above Stará Ľubovňa, dominating the Ľubovňa Basin.

Šariš Castle is an imposing ruin crowning a solitary andesite hill above the Torysa River valley in the southern Spiš-Šariš Highlands.

Founded by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa around 1180, Chebský hrad is one of Central Europe's finest Romanesque palace complexes, preserving its original chapel, tower, and palace remains at the confluence of the Ohře and Plesná rivers.

Bezděz Castle (Czech: hrad Bezděz) is a Gothic castle in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of Česká Lípa.…

The medieval ruin of Hrad Boskovice crowns Hradský Hill above the town of Boskovice, offering panoramic views across southern Moravia and standing as one of the region's most treasured protected heritage sites.

Bouzov Castle (Czech: Hrad Bouzov) is a castle in Bouzov in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It is located on a hill above the village of Bouzov, about 28 kilometres (17 mi) northwest of Olomouc.…

Buchlov (German: Buchlau) is a royal castle in Buchlovice in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic It is located on an eponymous hill with an elevation of 508 metres (1,667 ft) within the Chřiby mountain range.

The scarcely visible remains of the medieval Fortress Bítov, founded by the local Bítovský z Bítova noble family, lie just north-north-east of the village and can be reached by a leisurely walk through fields or forest paths along the Sezina river.

Hrad Choustník is a restored hilltop ruin near Tábor notable as one of Bohemia's rare examples of a Ganerbenburg, a castle once shared by multiple noble families.

Cornštejn Castle (Czech: hrad Cornštejn or Cornštýn, Corštejn, Corštýn, German: Zornstein) is a castle near Bítov, 31 kilometres (19 mi) west of Znojmo, in south-west Moravia, the Czech Republic.…

Hazmburk (German: Hasenburg, literally "Hare Castle") is a solitary hill in the Lower Ohře Table plateau with an elevation of 429 m (1,407 ft).…

Helfenburk is a castle ruin in the municipality of Krajníčko, 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) from the town of Bavorov in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.…

Helfštýn (German: Helfenstein, Helfstein) is a castle ruin in Týn nad Bečvou in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. It is located 15 kilometres (9 mi) east of Přerov.…

Hrad Hukvaldy is one of the largest and most impressive medieval castle ruins in the Moravian-Silesian Region, offering visitors a captivating blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty.

Karlštejn Castle (Czech: hrad Karlštejn; German: Burg Karlstein) is a large Gothic castle in Czechia, founded in 1348 by King Charles IV.…

Kašperk Castle (Czech: hrad Kašperk, German: Karlsberg) is a medieval castle placed in southwestern Bohemia (modern Czech Republic, former Kingdom of Bohemia).…

Kokořín Castle (Czech: hrad Kokořín) is a castle located in Kokořín in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It was built in the first half of the 14th century by order of Hynek Berka of Dubá.…

Kost Castle (Czech: hrad Kost) is a Gothic castle in Libošovice municipality in Jičín District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic.…

Perched above a dramatic rocky spur in the Křivoklátsko landscape, the Gothic ruins of Krakovec Castle stand as a landmark example of late medieval royal architecture that pioneered the shift from fortress to refined aristocratic residence.

Kunětická hora Castle (Czech: hrad Kunětická hora) is a castle in the municipality of Ráby in the Pardubice Region of the Czech Republic. The castle lies on Kunětická hora Hill, about 6 km from the city of Pardubice.…

Křivoklát Castle (Czech: hrad Křivoklát) is a castle in Křivoklát in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is protected as a national cultural monument.

Landštejn Castle (Czech: hrad Landštejn) is a 13th-century castle in Staré Město pod Landštejnem in Jindřichův Hradec District in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.…

Hrad Lipnice nad Sázavou is a remarkable Bohemian noble castle founded around 1310, whose medieval roots and Renaissance remodelling combine to create an unforgettable historical landmark open to visitors today.

Loket Castle (Czech: Hrad Loket, German: Burg Elbogen) is a 12th-century Gothic castle in Loket in the Karlovy Vary Region of the Czech Republic.…

Okoř is a castle on a low rocky promontory in Okoř, north-west of Prague, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) from the city centre, in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.…

Hrad Orlík is a well-preserved fourteenth-century castle ruin set on a forested hilltop near Humpolec, listed as a cultural monument since 1963 and easily reached by a short forest walk from the town centre.

Hrad Pecka is a well-preserved 14th-century castle ruin rising above the charming town of Pecka in the Královéhradecký Region, celebrated for its dramatic silhouette and the unique story of a name shared by a hill, a castle, and a town.

Pernštejn Castle (Czech: hrad Pernštejn, from German: Bernstein, originally from Bärenstein) is a castle in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic.…

Rabí or Rábí is a ruined castle in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It is the largest castle (in terms of area) in the country. Rabí Castle was proclaimed a national cultural monument in 1978.

Rising dramatically on a rocky hill near Doupě, Hrad Roštejn is a well-preserved late Gothic castle with roots dating back to 1353, now managed by the Muzeum Vysočiny in Jihlava and open to visitors.

Rožmberk (German: Rosenberg) is a castle situated in South Bohemia near Rožmberk nad Vltavou in the Czech Republic.…

Sovinec (German: Eulenburg) is a castle in Jiříkov of Bruntál District in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It is situated on a cone-shaped hill located in the Nízký Jeseník range.

Točník Castle (Czech: hrad Točník) is a castle ruin in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is located in the municipality of Točník in the Beroun District.…

Trosky Castle (Czech: Hrad Trosky) is a castle ruin in the municipality of Troskovice in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic and its name translates literally as "ruins" or "debris".…

Valdštejn Castle (Czech: hrad Valdštejn, German: Waldstein) is an early Gothic fortress near Turnov, in the Czech Republic.…

Hrad Velhartice is a remarkably well-preserved medieval castle in the Klatovy district, famed for its unique stone bridge connecting the ruined Rajský dům palace and the mighty Putna tower, and recognised as a Czech national cultural monument since 2001.

Veveří (Czech: hrad Veveří, German: Eichhorn) is an originally ducal and royal castle in Brno in the Czech Republic. It is located about 12 kilometres (7 mi) northwest of Brno city centre on the Svratka River.

Zvíkov (Czech: hrad Zvíkov; German: Klingenberg), often called "the king of Czech castles", is a castle in Zvíkovské Podhradí municipality, about 15 kilometres (9 mi) north of Písek in the South Bohemian Region of the Cz…

Český Šternberk Castle (Czech: Hrad Český Šternberk) is a castle of the mid-13th century, located on the west side of the river Sázava overlooking the eponymous market town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Rep…

Špilberk Castle (Czech: hrad Špilberk; German: Spielberg, locally Špilas) is a castle on the hilltop in Brno, Southern Moravia.…

Hrad Šternberk is a nationally protected medieval castle perched on a spur of the Nízký Jeseník uplands in the Olomouc Region, open to the public and managed by the National Heritage Institute.

Hrad Štramberk, also known as Strahlenberg, is a beautifully situated medieval and Renaissance castle ruin above the town of Štramberk, now protected as a Czech cultural monument and cherished by visitors year-round.

Žebrák Castle (Czech: hrad Žebrák) is a castle ruin in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It is located in the municipality of Točník in the Beroun District, near the eponymous town of Žebrák.…

Hradec nad Moravicí is a year-round, state-owned castle complex in the Opava district, featuring a contrasting pair of historic buildings — the White Castle and the neo-Gothic Red Castle — dramatically situated above the Moravice River.

Jindřichův Hradec is the Czech Republic's third largest castle complex, a beautifully restored Renaissance château whose history stretches back to the early 13th century and encompasses noble dynasties, a ruinous fire, and a landmark twentieth-century reconstruction.

Prague Castle (Czech: Pražský hrad; [ˈpraʃskiː ˈɦrat]) is a castle complex in Prague, Czech Republic serving as the official residence and workplace of the president of the Czech Republic.…

Švihov Castle (Czech: hrad Švihov; German: Schwihau) is a Gothic water castle in Švihov in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.

Zámok Bečov nad Teplou is a mid-18th-century Baroque château in the Karlovy Vary Region that, together with the neighbouring medieval castle, forms a nationally protected architectural ensemble of outstanding historical significance.

Zámok Bruntál is a nationally protected castle in the heart of Bruntál, celebrated for its distinctive circular-segment layout, arcaded courtyard, and richly furnished interiors that now house a regional museum.

Buchlovice Castle (Czech: Zámek Buchlovice) is a chateau in Buchlovice in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic.…

Zámok Bučovice is a beautifully preserved Renaissance château in the heart of the town of Bučovice, open to visitors eager to explore its rich architectural and historical heritage.

Zámok Dobříš is a magnificent Rococo château in Central Bohemia, celebrated for its elegant three-wing architecture and the stunning combination of French formal and English landscape gardens that surround it.

Zámok Frýdlant, a medieval castle and Renaissance château perched above the Smědá River in the Jizera Mountains, is one of the Czech Republic's most treasured monuments and the oldest castle museum in Central Europe, open to visitors since 1801.

Grabštejn (German: Grafenstein) is a castle in Chotyně in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic.…

Hluboká Castle (Czech: Zámek Hluboká; German: Schloss Frauenberg) is a historic château situated in Hluboká nad Vltavou. It is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the Czech Republic.

Houska Castle (Czech: Hrad Houska) is an early Gothic castle in the municipality of Blatce in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It lies about 47 km (29 mi) north of Prague.…

Zámok Hrubá Skála is a historic château in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise, born from a medieval fortress and still enchanting visitors with its romantic sandstone surroundings.

Konopiště Castle (Czech pronunciation: [ˈkonopɪʃtjɛ]; Czech: zámek Konopiště, German: Schloss Konopischt) is a four-winged, three-storey castle located in Konopiště, now a part of the town of Benešov in Central Bohemian…

Kunštát Castle (Czech: zámek Kunštát) is a castle in Kunštát in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic.

Zámok Ledeč nad Sázavou is a beautifully preserved château-castle complex dominating the skyline of Ledeč nad Sázavou in the Vysočina Region, valued as a protected cultural monument with centuries of history.

Zámok Lednice, a stunning neo-Gothic château on the Dyje River with nearly seven centuries of Liechtenstein history, dazzles visitors with its ornate interiors, remarkable nail-free spiral staircase, and pioneering nineteenth-century comforts.

Lemberk Castle (Czech: zámek Lemberk) is a castle in Jablonné v Podještědí in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. It is located in the Lusatian Mountains.

Litomyšl Castle (Czech: Státní zámek v Litomyšli, lit. 'State Castle in Litomyšl') is one of the largest Renaissance castles in the Czech Republic. It is owned by the Czech state.…

Mikulov Castle (German: Nikolsburg) is a castle in the town of Mikulov in South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic.…

Zámok Mělník is a beautifully preserved Baroque castle overlooking the Elbe River, whose history stretches back to a medieval fortress and which stands today as one of Mělník's most iconic landmarks.

Zámok Nelahozeves is a majestic late Renaissance castle perched above the Vltava River near Prague, housing the celebrated Lobkowicz family art collection and welcoming visitors from across the globe.

Zámok Náchod is a magnificent state-owned castle in the Hradec Králové Region that evolved from a thirteenth-century medieval fortress into a grand aristocratic residence and has been a designated National Cultural Monument since 2001.

Zámok Telč, a UNESCO-listed Renaissance masterpiece at the heart of one of Central Europe's best-preserved historic towns, enchants visitors with its immaculate architecture and serene waterside setting.

Valtice Castle is a magnificent Baroque residence in southern Moravia, shaped by centuries of Liechtenstein rule and recognised since 1996 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape.

Vranov nad Dyjí (Czech: Zámek Vranov nad Dyjí) is a castle in the homonymic market town of Vranov nad Dyjí in the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic.…

Zámok a hrad Kámen, situated near Pacov in the Pelhřimov district, is a listed cultural monument whose architecture spans seven centuries — from a fourteenth-century Gothic fortress through a Baroque château to its present-day Romantic form.

Zámok Úsov is a protected Central European castle in the Olomouc Region, home to the fascinating Liechtenstein Hunting and Forestry Museum.

Český Krumlov Castle (Czech: Hrad Český Krumlov) is a castle in Český Krumlov in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic.…

Château Žleby is a Neo-Gothic landmark perched above the river Doubrava near Čáslav, with roots dating to a thirteenth-century Gothic castle and a rich history shaped by noble families including the Auerspergs.