Dívčí kámen

Dívčí kámen is the ruin of a Gothic castle perched on a rocky spur above the village of Mříč, in the Křemže municipality, Český Krumlov district, South Bohemia. The site sits on a high, rocky promontory nearly encircled by the Vltava river and the smaller Křemežský stream that flows into it — a natural defensive position that today makes the ruins feel almost like an island wrapped in forest.

Where is Dívčí kámen and how to get there

The ruins lie roughly 9 kilometres from Český Krumlov and about 17 kilometres south of České Budějovice, right next to the village of Třísov. It's one of the more popular walking destinations in the region: trails run through woodland along the Vltava, and visitors often combine the castle with the nearby Třísov Celtic oppidum, turning the outing into a half-day hike covering both sites.

History — from a Rožmberk stronghold to a ruin

Construction began in 1349, commissioned by four Rožmberk brothers — Petr, Jošt, Oldřich and Jan — with the consent of King Charles IV. That makes the castle roughly contemporary with Karlštejn, though it never carried the same royal prestige. Its purpose was primarily military and administrative: guarding the family's estates and projecting their authority over the region. A small permanent garrison, around ten soldiers under a military governor, was stationed here.

The castle's decline began in 1506, when Petr of Rožmberk decided to stop maintaining it and had its furnishings moved to the family seat in Český Krumlov. From that point the buildings were left to decay, a slow process that continued over the following centuries. Only five hundred years later did the site pass into the hands of the Křemže municipality, which still manages it today.

Where the name Dívčí kámen comes from

The name has German roots, combining "Stein" (stone, but also used for castle) with "Maget" or "Mogt" (maiden, girl). This gave the German name Maidstein, rendered in Czech as Dívčí kámen — literally "Maiden's Stone." Similarly named rock formations elsewhere, such as those in the Krkonoše mountains on the Czech-Polish border, are unrelated — a different region entirely and a different kind of site.

What visitors can see today

Despite centuries of decay, Dívčí kámen ranks among the largest and best-preserved castle ruins in the Czech Republic, with the complex stretching about 210 metres in length and 45 metres in width. Sections of the defensive walls, towers and outbuildings survive, giving a clear sense of the original scale of the fortress. The site is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with no entry fee to walk the grounds.

The ruins remain active today, too: they regularly host concerts, historical re-enactments, fencing displays, medieval markets, lectures and exhibitions, drawing visitors throughout the year rather than just in peak season.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dívčí kámen? It's the ruin of a 14th-century Gothic castle set on a rocky hill above the Vltava river, near Český Krumlov.

Who built the castle? It was built starting in 1349 by four brothers of the Rožmberk family, with the approval of King Charles IV.

Why was the castle abandoned? In 1506, Petr of Rožmberk moved its furnishings to Český Krumlov and stopped maintaining it, which started its gradual decay.

Where does the name "Dívčí kámen" come from? From the German Maidstein, combining words for "stone/castle" and "maiden" — literally "Maiden's Stone."

Can a visit be combined with another nearby attraction? Yes — the Třísov Celtic oppidum is close by, letting visitors plan a single, longer walking route that covers both sites.