Nový Hrad

Nový Hrad is a picturesque castle ruin hidden in the forests of the Hanušovice Highlands, between the villages of Kopřivná and Bohdíkov, above the hamlet of Raškov. The remains sit on a rocky spur roughly 180 metres above the Morava river valley, which alone makes the site one of the more dramatic hiking destinations in the Šumperk region. Many researchers consider it to have been the largest castle complex ever built on Moravian soil — and it is this sheer scale, as much as the scenic setting, that draws hikers and history enthusiasts today.

When was Nový Hrad built?

The site is first documented in written sources in 1374, and by 1504 it was already recorded as abandoned. Historians still disagree on whether the fortress was originally built in the 13th or the 14th century, since no definitive founding charter has survived. The identity of the builder is equally disputed: some researchers point to the powerful Lords of Lipá, while other sources credit the Moravian margrave John Henry with founding the castle.

How was the castle destroyed?

The end of Nový Hrad's prominence is tied to the turbulent period following the death of King George of Poděbrady. The Hungarian ruler Matthias Corvinus is said to have brought an army from Silesia that, while marching through the Morava valley, devastated the castle in retaliation for its garrison's loyalty to the late king. From that point on the fortress gradually fell into ruin, and nature slowly reclaimed its walls.

What survives at the site today?

Despite the centuries, the remains of an impressively large defensive complex are still legible on the ground: traces of four gates, four bastions belonging to the upper castle's fortifications, and another four bastions from the lower castle's defensive ring. Fragments of a palace building, deep moats and earthen ramparts are also visible, giving visitors a sense of the original scale of the complex. The division into an upper and a lower castle, each with its own defensive system, is one of the main reasons researchers regard Nový Hrad as the largest fortification of its kind in Moravia.

How do you get to the ruins?

The ruin is freely accessible year-round, and several marked hiking trails lead there. The longest route, the blue trail, runs from Hanušovice (about 4.5 km) and from the village of Lužná (about 1.5 km). A green trail approaches from Bohdíkov (about 4 km), while the shortest access is the yellow trail from Raškov, at just 1.2 km. Because the surrounding terrain is forested and uneven, sturdy hiking shoes are recommended regardless of the route chosen.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Nový Hrad ruins? The ruins lie in a forest and are freely accessible to visitors at no charge.

How long does it take to reach the castle? The shortest route, the yellow trail from Raškov, is just 1.2 km, while the longest, from Hanušovice, runs about 4.5 km — depending on the chosen trail, the walk takes anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour.

Why is the castle called the largest in Moravia? Because of its extensive defensive layout — separate upper and lower castles, each with four bastions and its own gates — which together formed one of the most extensive fortification complexes in the region.

Who destroyed Nový Hrad? The castle was devastated by troops brought from Silesia by Matthias Corvinus, likely as an act of retaliation following the death of King George of Poděbrady.