Jenčov (ruins)

In ancient times, the Czech Kingdom stretched from the Alps to Hungary and was washed from the south by the Adriatic and from the north by the Baltic Sea. The majesty of the Czech Crown took time away, but almost five hundred fortresses, castles and ruins remain in our country, reminiscent of the glorious and dark moments of our history.

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Interesting facts Jenčov (ruins)

One of these mysterious and silent witnesses of times past is the torso of Jenčov Castle, located on the border of the Kladno, Beroun and Rakovník districts. Legend has it that the Czech king once drove through the region looking for a place for his hunting lodge. In one of the local villages, he sat in an inn among the common people, ordered wine, and asked for advice on where to build a hunting lodge. The locals led him to a rock above the stream in the middle of the woods and he actually built a castle there.

The facts say that although the first written mention of the castle, sometimes called Jinčov, dates from 1606, its history is much longer. Thanks to archaeological finds, we know that the castle dates from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, but who was its founder is not clear.

Jenčov is one of the smallest castles in our country, the palace was about 17 meters long and 9 meters wide. The prismatic tower had dimensions of 7x10 meters. It can be seen from the ruins that there were only two small rooms on the ground floor of the palace. This only confirms that it was not intended for permanent living. From the window opening in the castle wall, you will probably be offered the same view that each of its owners saw while resting after the hunt. The surrounding landscape is a National Nature Reserve, named after the stream Vůznice, flowing under the remains of the castle. Jenčov is the only accessible place in this protected area.

Currently, the ruins are cared for by the Jenčov Castle Association, which is trying to preserve the remains of the fortification walls. Under the torso of the castle you will find a wooden box with a picture of the original appearance of Jenčov and a notebook intended for visitors' notes. There is also an educational board with information about the castle and reservations.

Author: Ivana Dondová