Brtnický hrádek (ruins)
It is also called the Robber's Castle, but we don't know its real name. It is currently called Brtnický hrádek and can be found in the northeastern part of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. These are the remains of a medieval rock castle or fortress, located approximately 3 km southwest of the village Brtníky and freely accessible to tourists throughout the year.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Brtnický hrádek (ruins)
History of Brtnický castle
Originally, the fortress was made of wood and was one of the rock fortresses that were owned by the Berk family from Dubá. Its origin is related to the colonization of the area during the 14th century and the fortress probably served its purpose until the end of the 14th century.
The task of the castle was probably to guard the local trade route and no written sources have unfortunately survived to this day, which is explained by the fact that we still do not know its real name. Many experts even believe that the building was not a castle, but a residential building with the function of a castle.
Road to Brtnický hrádek
The torso of the castle is accessible on the way from the turn-off from the route marked with a green tourist sign, which leads from Brtníky to Doubice. Count on the fact that on the way to the top you will find a steep climb and four rock crevices that need to be overcome. These are natural ditches, the last of which was widened and its depth is 8 meters.
Description of the castle
The castle originally had a two-part layout, which stood on two rock blocks, separated by ravines. The eastern block included a fort with a pair of stairs. A stone wall served as a fortification, the torso of which can still be found on the southeast side of the castle.
The castle was entered by means of a bridge that stretched over the gorge. Right in the middle of the plateau is a rock into which the foundations of a 4.5 x 5 meter building were carved, and it was probably a former tower with a cellar.