Cimburk

Cimburk is a ruined Gothic castle perched above Koryčany, deep in the Chřiby hills of Moravia. The site sits roughly 4 kilometers east of the town, making it an easy day trip for anyone hiking the Chřiby ridgeline or tracing the region's medieval history.

Who built the castle, and when?

Construction ran from 1327 to 1333, commissioned by Bernard of Cimburk, a member of a powerful Moravian noble family who had previously held another stronghold of the same name near Svitavy. In 1348 Bernard relocated here permanently, turning the new castle into his family's principal seat. Architecturally, Cimburk is considered a strong example of early-14th-century fortified design, carrying noticeable traces of French fortification style — an influence that was far from common in Moravia at the time.

How did the castle change over the following decades?

In 1353 the estate passed to Margrave Jan Jindřich (John Henry), brother of Emperor Charles IV, who took it from Ctibor of Cimburk. Dissatisfied with the existing residential tower built into the corner of the outer wall, the new owner commissioned a rectangular palace wing attached to that tower. The castle therefore grew in stages, reshaped repeatedly to suit each successive owner's needs rather than following a single original plan.

What happened to the castle in the 15th century?

Like many strongholds of its era, Cimburk suffered damage under circumstances that aren't fully documented. Štěpán of Vartnov carried out repairs in 1468, evidence that the castle remained an actively maintained residence throughout the 15th century rather than a neglected ruin.

When did the castle lose its military role?

By the end of the 17th century Cimburk had lost its defensive purpose, and it was finally abandoned in 1720. From that point it began to fall into disrepair, though it never disappeared from scholarly attention. In 1793 the Austrian topographer and historian Josef Schwoy included the castle in his survey of the Habsburg lands, producing one of the earliest known written accounts of the site.

What is the state of the ruins today?

Conservation work at Cimburk began in the early 20th century, with further rescue campaigns carried out in the 1930s and again in 1940. The castle has been listed as a protected cultural monument since 1973. Today the ruins are cared for by the local civic association Polypeje, which handles wall stabilization, documentation, and public access — keeping Cimburk an actively maintained site rather than just a historical footnote.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Cimburk Castle from Koryčany? The ruins stand about 4 km east of the town, within the Chřiby hills.

Who built Cimburk? Bernard of Cimburk built the castle between 1327 and 1333.

Was the castle ever damaged and repaired? Yes — Štěpán of Vartnov repaired damage to the castle in 1468.

When did Cimburk become a ruin? It lost its military function by the late 17th century and was abandoned in 1720.

Who maintains the site today? Conservation efforts date back to the early 1900s, and the ruins are currently maintained by the Polypeje civic association.