Hrad na Radči

Hrad na Radči is a forgotten medieval stronghold hidden in the woods above the village of Těškov, in the Rokycany district of western Bohemia. Almost nothing remains above ground today, but the rocky ridge where it once stood still draws hikers and history enthusiasts exploring this quiet corner of the Czech countryside.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The ruins sit on a side summit of the Radeč ridge, at roughly 680 metres above sea level, just north of Těškov. A red-marked hiking trail leads directly to the site, reachable both from Těškov itself and from the neighboring village of Lhota pod Radčem. The area belongs to a scenic, forested range on the edge of the Plzeň region, popular with visitors looking for peaceful trails away from crowds.

What is the history behind it?

The earliest written record of the stronghold dates back to 1343, when it was held by Oldřich, a member of the lords of Litice — in period documents he also appears under the name "of Mitrvald," after the castle's old German name. In 1360, the estate passed to Rous of Litice, patron of the local church, and over the following decades ownership changed hands several more times: Rynart of Volduchy held it in 1362–1363, Albert of Kolovrat in 1371, and from 1376 it belonged to Bohuslav of Švamberk. Around the turn of the 15th century the property came into the hands of Jan Židž of Vetlá, and then, between 1400 and 1423, of Petr of Osek. It was during this period that the stronghold ceased to be inhabited — its owners had settled elsewhere, and the inconvenient, hard-to-reach hilltop castle lost its practical value. The estate was later attached first to Osek and then to Zbiroh. By 1652, records already describe the castle as an abandoned ruin.

What did the castle look like?

It was a small, austere fortification built primarily for defense rather than comfort. Its core stood behind a rocky outcrop, cut off from the rest of the hill by a broad, curved rampart and moat. Available sources indicate the structure was built mainly from wood, though a stone building likely stood behind the rock face as well — traces of mortar found at the site support this. The stronghold's plain, spartan character suggests it never served as a residence, but rather as a guard post, possibly protecting the northern edge of the surrounding estate and nearby iron ore deposits that had long been worked in the region.

What can you see today?

Only modest earthworks survive: the outline of the moat and rampart, along with scattered traces of mortar marking where a stone structure once stood. Archaeological excavations carried out in the 19th century uncovered coins from the Luxembourg dynasty period, along with swords, axes, horseshoes, and other everyday objects that point to life at the castle during the 14th century. The site is now listed as a protected cultural monument and remains freely accessible to visitors year-round.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its forested, hilltop setting, spring and summer are the best seasons for a visit, when the trail is dry and the views from the Radeč ridge are at their best. Autumn is a good alternative for those who prefer quieter trails with fewer other hikers around.

Frequently asked questions

When was Hrad na Radči built? The first written mention dates from 1343, though archaeological findings suggest the stronghold may already have existed earlier in the 14th century.

Why did the castle fall into ruin? From the early 15th century onward, its owners resided elsewhere, and the inconvenient hilltop castle was abandoned and gradually decayed — by 1652 it was already recorded as a ruin.

What purpose did the castle serve? Its plain, unfortified-for-comfort design suggests it functioned mainly as a guard post protecting the northern edge of the surrounding estate and nearby iron ore deposits.

How do you reach the ruins? A red-marked hiking trail connects Těškov with the neighboring village of Lhota pod Radčem and leads directly to the site, which is free to visit.