Nový Šaumburk

Nový Šaumburk (also known as Zubříč) is a ruined medieval castle overlooking the village of Podhradní Lhota in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic.

Where is the castle and how do you get there?

The ruin sits on a hillside at the foot of Kelčský Javorník, within the Hostýn Hills, directly above the houses of Podhradní Lhota. The village itself has been tied to the castle for centuries — even its early names, recorded from the 13th and 14th centuries onward, referred directly to the fortress above it. Between 1363 and 1412 the settlement was recorded as Podhradí, in 1429 as Švamberk, and from 1434 it appears as Lhota pod hradem Šaumburkem. Today the hill is reached on foot along a marked trail that also draws hikers heading further toward the summit of Kelčský Javorník.

Where does the name come from, and what is the castle's history?

The name Šaumburk dates back to the 13th century, when Bruno of Schauenburg, Bishop of Olomouc, built his representative seat on this hillside — the site now known as Starý Šaumburk (Old Šaumburk). Maintaining such a large complex proved expensive, and by the 14th century the older castle was gradually abandoned and left to decay. In its place, in the second half of the 14th century, a new stronghold was built nearby: Nový Šaumburk, also called Zubříč. It is this younger fortress whose remains can still be visited today.

Why was the castle destroyed?

Nový Šaumburk did not have a peaceful history. At some point the castle became a base for robber knights, who used it to raid travelers and settlements in the surrounding area. This brought the wrath of regional authorities down on the stronghold: in 1451 it was bought out and destroyed by the governor Jan z Cimburku, putting an end to the raiding activity of its occupants. The final blow came somewhat later, during a military campaign led by the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus. As a result, Nový Šaumburk ceased to function as a fortification by 1469 and has remained a ruin ever since.

What else is worth knowing about this site?

Despite the centuries that have passed, the ruins retained enough historical value to be granted protection as a cultural monument in 1958 — a reminder that even modest, partly weathered walls can carry real significance for local heritage. The hill on which Nový Šaumburk stands is also valued for its views, as this stretch of the Hostýn Hills counts among the more scenic parts of the range, and the summit often serves as a starting point for further hikes across the surrounding hills. History enthusiasts visiting the site can also walk the short distance to the remains of the older Starý Šaumburk, which makes it possible to trace how one stronghold gradually gave way to the other.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any castle structures still standing on site? Yes, wall remnants of the former stronghold can still be seen on the hill, though the ruins are heavily worn down by time and by the destruction the castle suffered in the 15th century.

When was the castle built? Nový Šaumburk was built in the second half of the 14th century as the successor to the older Šaumburk castle, raised in the 13th century by the Bishop of Olomouc.

Why is the castle also called Zubříč? Zubříč is an alternative historical name for the same stronghold, used alongside Nový Šaumburk.

Is the site legally protected? Yes, the ruins have been listed as a cultural monument since 1958, confirming their historical value for the region.