Boršov Castle

Boršov Castle is a vanished medieval fortress on the Hřebeč ridge, west of the village of Boršov near Moravská Třebová in the Svitavy district of the Czech Republic. Almost nothing stands above ground today — only earthworks remain — yet the site is protected as a cultural monument and remains a draw for history enthusiasts and hikers exploring the Hřebeč hills.

How do you get there?

The remains sit on a forested ridge west of Boršov, right next to Moravská Třebová, which serves as the natural base for visiting the area. Reaching the site requires a short uphill walk, since the castle's remnants occupy a hilltop location away from main roads. It's a typical stop for visitors combining sightseeing with hiking along the Hřebeč trail network.

Who founded the castle, and when?

The castle was founded late in the life of Boreš of Rýzmberk (Boreš of Riesenburg), who died in 1277 — one of the noblemen involved in colonizing and developing the surrounding land during the thirteenth century. Construction was finished by Friedrich of Šumburk, who became guardian of Boreš's underage sons after his death. Its founding fits into the broader wave of colonization-era strongholds established across the Moravská Třebová region in the second half of the thirteenth century.

What happened to it?

Written sources tie the castle to military events of 1285–1286, when it was captured by a royal army led by Zbyšek of Falkenštejn. Although the stronghold was subsequently restored, its existence proved short: it disappeared already during the fourteenth century, likely as a result of further fighting or a loss of strategic relevance. Metal-detector surveys around the site have confirmed traces of a siege dating to the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, underscoring the castle's brief but eventful history.

What did the castle look like?

Boršov was a single-ward castle of the bergfried type, its core separated from the rest of the ridge by a double ditch — a defensive arrangement typical of the period. Archaeological work has confirmed the existence of a bergfried tower standing in the western corner, facing the approach side. This layout — a compact defensive core reinforced by ditches — was characteristic of the smaller colonization-era strongholds built along medieval settlement frontiers.

Why is it worth a visit?

What survives today is mostly terrain relief — ramparts, ditches, and flattened platforms marking former structures — but for anyone interested in medieval settlement history or field archaeology, it remains a worthwhile stop. The site pairs its historical value with the scenic appeal of the Hřebeč ridge, which offers views over the surrounding Moravská Třebová countryside.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly are the remains of Boršov Castle? On the Hřebeč ridge, west of the village of Boršov, within the municipality of Moravská Třebová in the Svitavy district.

Who founded Boršov Castle? It was founded by Boreš of Rýzmberk, who died in 1277, with construction completed by Friedrich of Šumburk, guardian of his sons.

When did the castle cease to exist? After being captured by royal forces in 1285–1286 and later rebuilt, it fell out of use and disappeared sometime during the fourteenth century.

What can visitors see on site today? Mainly earthworks — traces of ramparts, ditches, and the foundations of a bergfried tower — with no standing walls remaining above ground.

Is Boršov Castle a protected monument? Yes, the site of the former castle is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.