Křídlo

Křídlo is a ruined medieval castle perched on a forested hill above the Rusava river valley, within the cadastral territory of the village of Brusné in the Kroměříž district of the Zlín Region. The name itself explains the site's location: the castle was raised on a protruding "wing" (Czech: křídlo) of the elongated Barvínek ridge, a spur that once guarded the entrance to the Rusava valley. Today the ruins are a popular stop for hikers exploring the Hostýn Hills, offering a tangible link to the region's medieval past.

When was Křídlo Castle built?

The fortress was most likely built in the first half of the 14th century. The earliest written record dates to 1356, when Vlk of Dobrotice handed the castle over to the lords of Kunštát. At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries it passed to the lords of Cimburk, and later to the lords of Bořitov. Its position on a steep, hard-to-reach hilltop made it an effective watchpost over the route running through the valley below.

What happened at the castle in the 15th century?

One of the more unusual chapters in Křídlo's history unfolded in the mid-15th century, when the castle housed one of the largest counterfeit coin workshops in Moravia. Its remote, defensible location made it well suited to concealing such illicit activity, far from the reach of central authorities. The castle's active life came to an end later that century: in the closing years of the 1470s it was destroyed by the forces of the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus during the Czech-Hungarian wars. By 1481, when the estate changed hands in a sale, the property was already recorded as a ruin.

What survives of the castle today?

Despite centuries of decay, the layout of the original stronghold is still legible on the hilltop. Visitors can make out sections of the perimeter wall, the lower portion of a round tower, the foundations of the castle's residential palace, and remnants of the entrance gate. A pentagonal bastion is also visible, along with a second round tower that researchers believe may have served as a well tower. Completing the defensive picture is a moat roughly three meters deep, which once separated the castle from the rest of the ridge. Weathered as they are, these fragments give a clear sense of the fortress's original scale and layout.

How do you get to Křídlo Castle?

The ruins are freely accessible year-round, with no admission fee. Marked hiking trails lead to the site: a blue trail approaches from the village of Chomýž, while a yellow trail connects from Rusava and Brusné. The walk winds through the wooded slopes of the Hostýn Hills, making the approach itself a rewarding experience for hikers. From the hilltop, it's easy to appreciate the strategic thinking of the castle's medieval builders, who chose a spot commanding a clear view over the valley route.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to Křídlo Castle free? Yes, the ruins are open to the public and can be visited free of charge at any time of year.

Where does the castle's name come from? The name refers to the "wing" — the protruding spur of the Barvínek ridge on which the castle was built.

When was the castle destroyed? It was demolished in the late 1470s by the forces of Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus during the Czech-Hungarian wars.

Which trails lead to the ruins? A blue trail runs from Chomýž, and a yellow trail connects from Rusava and Brusné.

What can visitors see among the ruins? Remnants of the perimeter wall, a round tower, the palace foundations, the entrance gate, a pentagonal bastion, and a deep moat.