Janštejn Castle

Janštejn Castle is a ruined medieval stronghold located roughly 1.5 km southwest of the village of Nová Ves, in the Jihlava region on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Only fragments of the defensive wall, earthen ramparts, moats, and the lower section of a round tower survive today, yet this weathered, partly wooded site remains a rewarding stop for anyone curious about the region's medieval past.

When was Janštejn Castle built?

The stronghold went up in the first half of the 14th century, likely around 1315, at a time when the surrounding estate of Počátky was taking shape. It was founded by the lords of Březnice as a bergfried-type castle, meaning its defense centered on a single powerful tower rather than an extensive curtain wall. Ownership shifted over the following decades along with the surrounding villages: by 1383 the castle, together with Nová Ves, Panské Dubenky, and part of Jihlávka, had passed to Jindřich of Hradec, a member of one of medieval Bohemia's most influential noble families.

Why did the castle fall into ruin?

Janštejn's downfall came with the Hussite Wars. Like many other castles and settlements across the region, it was destroyed during this turbulent period of religious and political conflict, with historians pointing to 1423 as the likely year the fortress was abandoned or razed. It was never rebuilt afterward, and, as with several neighboring hamlets, it simply faded from use and slipped into decay.

What can visitors actually see on site?

What remains today only hints at the original layout. Visible features include:

• the traces of ramparts and moats that once encircled the castle courtyard,
• a small surviving stretch of the perimeter wall,
• the lower portion of a cylindrical tower that once anchored the castle's defenses.

It is a modest set of remains compared to fully preserved fortresses, but for anyone interested in medieval settlement history on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the site offers a genuine, unpolished glimpse into how these smaller regional strongholds were built and lost.

How do you get to Janštejn Castle?

The ruins sit in wooded terrain near the villages of Horní Dubenky and Horní Cerekev, in the Jihlava district. The site is freely accessible year-round with no entrance fee, making it a popular destination for local hikers and cyclists as well as visitors exploring the wider area around Telč and Jindřichův Hradec. Since there is no visitor infrastructure on site, it's best treated as one stop along a longer walking or cycling route through the region.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Janštejn Castle? No, the ruins are freely accessible at any time, with no ticket required.

How much of the original castle has survived? Not much — visitors can see remnants of the ramparts and moats, a short stretch of defensive wall, and the lower part of a round tower, typical remains of a bergfried-type castle destroyed centuries ago.

When and why was the castle destroyed? It was destroyed during the Hussite Wars, most likely in 1423, along with several other settlements in the surrounding area.

Are there other attractions nearby worth visiting? Yes, the area around Horní Dubenky and Horní Cerekev on the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands has hiking and cycling trails that also lead toward Telč and Jindřichův Hradec, both known for their well-preserved historic monuments.