Kyšperk (Krupka)

Kyšperk Castle stands in ruins above the town of Krupka, in the Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) of the Czech Republic.

Where exactly are the Kyšperk ruins located?

The remains sit on a spur of Supí hora (Vulture Hill), above the Unčín part of Krupka, in the Teplice district. At roughly 450 metres above sea level, the site looks out over the foothills of the Ore Mountains and is open to visitors year-round, free of charge and without booking.

When was the castle founded?

Kyšperk is first recorded in 1319, during the reign of John of Luxembourg. It was built as an archiepiscopal stronghold, and the archbishops of Prague are known to have stayed there after its construction — a sign of the fortress's representative, rather than purely military, character. For a castle tied to the mining district around Krupka, it counted among the more substantial fortifications of its time.

What happened to the castle over the centuries?

Hussite forces laid siege to Kyšperk around 1428, though the castle only fell in 1433, when it was taken by Jakoubek z Vřesovic, one of the Hussite commanders. On his death the estate passed to his son Jaroš, who founded the noble line of Kyšperští z Vřesovic, named after the castle itself. The fortress met its end in 1526, when a man named Zikmund Glatz accidentally set it alight with a careless shot from a handgun. The fire gutted the building, and it was never rebuilt or resettled.

What remains of the castle today?

Visitors can still make out the core of the castle, underground chambers beneath the former residential tower, sections of the perimeter walls, and ditches cut directly into the rock that once protected the approach. The site is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, which keeps the ruins protected from further deterioration and unauthorised building work.

Who should visit Kyšperk?

The ruins draw hikers exploring the Ore Mountains as well as anyone after a scenic lookout near Krupka. The layout of the walls and ditches, though modest, is still legible enough to reward a short visit of a couple of hours, easily combined with a stop at Krupka's own town castle and its mining heritage. Marked hiking trails lead to the site, so reaching it does not call for any special preparation or equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly are the ruins of Kyšperk Castle? On Supí hora above Krupka's Unčín district, in the Teplice area, at about 450 metres above sea level in the Ore Mountains.

When was the castle built? It is first mentioned in 1319, under John of Luxembourg, and originally served as a seat for the archbishops of Prague.

Why is the castle in ruins today? It burned down in 1526 after an accidental gunshot started a fire, and it was never rebuilt.

Can the ruins be visited independently? Yes — the site is freely accessible all year round, with no entrance fee or booking required.