Pařez Castle

Pařez Castle is a ruined rock castle near the village of Pařezská Lhota in the Czech Republic.

Where is Pařez Castle located?

The ruins lie southwest of Pařezská Lhota, close to the village of Holín, in the Jičín District of the Hradec Králové Region. The castle sits on the northwestern edge of the Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály), one of the most striking sandstone formations in the country, within the protected Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) landscape area. Its location is inseparable from the geology around it: rather than being built beside the cliffs, the castle was carved directly into them.

What is the history behind the castle?

The earliest written record of the castle dates to 1403, naming Jan of Pařez as its owner. It belonged to the lords of Pařez and was in use only for a short span, roughly from the late 14th century into the first quarter of the 15th century. That period ended abruptly during the Hussite Wars, when the stronghold was destroyed; by 1430, under the ownership of Ctibor of Pařez, it was already recorded as a ruin. Some accounts suggest the castle had by then become a hideout for robber knights, a detail often linked to its final destruction by fire. Archaeological work at the site has turned up silver Prague groschen coins minted under King Wenceslaus IV, physical evidence that ties the ruins to this exact period of use.

What does the castle look like today?

The heart of the castle is a natural sandstone outcrop with several chambers cut straight into the rock — a construction method typical of the rock castles scattered across Bohemian Paradise, where the cliff itself served as the main defensive wall. A residential building once stood on the flat summit of the rock, and a stone tower was built against its side; portions of that tower still survive. Traces of the surrounding perimeter walls are also visible. What remains today is mostly the rock-cut chambers and scattered masonry fragments, but the shape of the outcrop still makes it easy to picture how the original stronghold was laid out.

Can visitors explore the ruins?

Pařez Castle is protected as a cultural monument, yet it remains freely accessible at any time, with no admission fee and no restricted opening hours. It is a popular stop for hikers exploring the Prachov Rocks, reached via marked trails winding through the surrounding forest and rock formations.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Pařez Castle? No, the ruins are open to the public free of charge, with no ticket booth or fencing restricting access.

Who built Pařez Castle? It was the seat of the lords of Pařez; the first documented owner, recorded in 1403, was Jan of Pařez.

Why did the castle fall into ruin? It was destroyed during the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, and some sources suggest its later use as a hideout for robber knights contributed to its final destruction by fire.

What survives of the original castle? Visitors can still see chambers carved into the sandstone rock, the remains of a tower attached to the cliff face, and fragments of the perimeter walls on the summit.