Holštejn Castle

Holštejn Castle is a ruined stronghold perched on a steep limestone crag at the edge of the Moravian Karst, right above the village that shares its name, in the Blansko District of the South Moravian Region. The rock on which it stands drops almost vertically toward the valley of the Bílá voda stream, making the site a natural fortress long before any walls were raised. Little survives above ground today, but the setting — on the rim of a karst landscape riddled with caves and gorges — still makes the ruin worth the detour.

Who built Holštejn Castle, and when?

The castle was founded around 1268–1270 by Hartman, son of the Moravian nobleman Crha of Čeblovice. Hartman himself was already using the name "of Holštejn" by 1278, which suggests the stronghold was complete by then. The name is a Czech adaptation of the German "Hohler Stein" — "hollow rock" — a direct reference to the cave running beneath the castle hill.

What is the story behind the "starvation cave"?

Beneath the castle's foundations lies a cave that was walled up in the Middle Ages and used as a prison, known locally as the Hladomorna, or "starvation cave." Excavations there turned up human bones along with fragments of clothing — buckles, buttons and other metal fittings — belonging to prisoners once held inside. It's this feature that gave the castle its German name, and it remains one of the details visitors ask about most.

How did ownership of the castle change over time?

The founder's family died out relatively quickly, and in the early 14th century the estate was bought by Vok of Hrutov, who founded a new line, the Lords of Holštejn, bearing a coat of arms with a divided trefoil. The family became one of the wealthier noble houses in Moravia, holding not only Holštejn but also the castles of Cimburk, Vartnov, Hluboký, Špránek, Náměšť, Grünberk, Bohuslavice and Myslejovice. They were active participants in the Moravian margravial wars and later in events tied to the Hussite wars. The line died out in 1466 with the death of the last Vok of Holštejn.

When and why was the castle abandoned?

After the family's extinction, the estate passed through several hands and was gradually split into smaller holdings, which hastened the castle's decline. By 1531 records already describe it as deserted, and the small town at its foot was depopulated by 1550. Holštejn never regained its former importance; the site has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964.

What remains to see on site today?

The most visible surviving feature is a roughly 8-metre-high fragment of curved wall rising above the old ditch, alongside remnants of the palace building and other structures, plus short stretches of the perimeter wall. Uneven ground across the hilltop traces the outline of former foundations, giving a rough sense of the original layout. The ruin is freely accessible year-round, making it a popular stop for visitors combining a walk to the castle with exploring the caves and gorges of the surrounding Moravian Karst.

Frequently asked questions

Is Holštejn Castle free to visit? Yes, the ruins are open to the public year-round with no admission fee.

How old is Holštejn Castle? The stronghold dates to around 1268–1270, making it more than 750 years old.

Why is it called Holštejn? The name comes from the German "Hohler Stein" ("hollow rock"), referring to the cave beneath the castle hill that was once used as a prison.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The castle sits on the edge of the Moravian Karst, close to other karst attractions in the region, including numerous caves and gorges, so a visit here pairs well with a longer day exploring the area.