Herštýn

Herštýn is a forested hill in western Bohemia that combines natural and historical heritage in one small area, roughly 2.5 km northeast of the town of Kdyně in the Domažlice district, right above the village of Němčice. It shelters both one of the oldest nature reserves in western Bohemia and the atmospheric ruins of Nový Herštejn castle.

What is the Herštýn nature reserve?

The Herštýn nature reserve was first declared in 1933 and re-declared in 1955, making it one of the oldest protected areas in this part of the Czech Republic. It covers 10.76 hectares on the slopes of the hill crowned by the castle ruins. The reserve protects natural beech forest and scree-slope forest vegetation that has survived here in an exceptionally well-preserved state.

What plants grow here?

The scree forests are home to common cuckoo-pint (Arum maculatum) and perennial honesty (Lunaria rediviva), a species typical of moist, rocky slopes. The flowering beech forest supports coralroot bittercress (Dentaria bulbifera), spring pea (Lathyrus vernus) and multiflowered Solomon's seal. Spring is the recommended season to visit, when the herbaceous understory is in full bloom and the woodland is at its most colorful.

Where does the name come from and what is the castle's history?

Within the reserve stand the ruins of Nový Herštejn castle, founded in the first half of the 14th century. Bušek II of Velhartice is considered its probable founder. The castle served a defensive and administrative role for the surrounding estate, which included the village of Německice — first mentioned in writing in 1379, precisely in connection with the Herštýn estate.

The castle's fortunes changed in 1475, when it was captured by Bavarian troops. After that it was only partially restored, for economic rather than military purposes. After 1524 the property was bought by the town of Domažlice, which no longer needed a fortified stronghold — the castle was left to decay and was finally abandoned in the middle of the 16th century.

What remains of the castle today?

Today the hill preserves extensive remains of the former castle complex. The most prominent feature is part of the residential tower (donjon), measuring 15.6 by 16.6 meters, along with the remnants of a rectangular tower. Traces of the entrance gate and the masonry of the former fortifications have also survived. The entire hill, ruins included, is protected as part of the Herštýn nature reserve, which has helped preserve both the natural and historical values of the site in a relatively undisturbed state.

Who is this place for?

Herštýn suits visitors who enjoy combining history with nature — a walk here leads through the grounds of a former defensive stronghold and, at the same time, through a protected, old-growth beech forest. Its proximity to Kdyně and the village of Němčice makes it easily accessible for travelers exploring the Domažlicko region and the Český les area.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Herštýn from Kdyně? The hill with the castle ruins and nature reserve lies about 2.5 km northeast of Kdyně.

When is the best time to visit the reserve? Spring is the best season, when herbaceous plants such as coralroot bittercress and spring pea bloom in the beech and scree forests.

Who founded Nový Herštejn castle? Bušek II of Velhartice is considered the probable founder, and the castle was built in the first half of the 14th century.

Why did the castle fall into ruin? After being captured by Bavarian troops in 1475, it was only partially rebuilt, and after being sold to the town of Domažlice after 1524 it lost its purpose as a defensive stronghold, gradually decaying until it was abandoned in the mid-16th century.