Plankenberk

Plankenberk is a ruined castle near the village of Biskupice in Moravia, Czech Republic, a few kilometers northeast of the small town of Jevíčko. The hill carrying the remains sits between two small streams that feed into the Nectava brook, a layout that once gave the fortress a natural line of defense.

Who built the castle, and why?

Work on Plankenberk began after 1352, but the original builders never finished it. In 1361 the unfinished stronghold passed to Jan, Margrave of Moravia and brother of King Charles IV. Jan had already bought the village of Biskupice from the Olomouc chapter in order to raise a strong castle in this well-positioned landscape, and once construction was complete he gave the fortress its name: Plankenberg. The name comes from the building method itself — "Planke" means a beam or lath — so it roughly translates as "beam mountain," a reference to the timber elements used in the defensive structure on top of the hill.

What happened to the castle over the centuries?

Plankenberk's history was anything but peaceful. The fortress was repeatedly caught up in armed conflict, and its condition deteriorated steadily. By 1412 it was already recorded as abandoned. A few years later, in 1421, Hussite forces pushed into the area from the direction of Polička and Svitavy on their way deeper into Moravia, and they occupied Plankenberk. The castle was later retaken, only to be burned once again — some accounts place this final destruction in 1422, when crusader forces are said to have seized and set fire to it. After that, Plankenberk never regained its former importance and was left as a ruin.

What survives at the site today?

Visitors can still make out sections of earthen ramparts, remnants of the stone walls, and the castle well, which remains recognizable on the ground. These are modest but clear traces of the original defensive layout, enough to get a sense of how the fortress was arranged on its hilltop. The ruins are freely accessible, with no entrance fee or restrictions.

How do you get to the ruins?

The easiest starting point is the railway station at Nectava, from which a marked hiking trail of about 1 kilometer leads directly to the castle. It's a short, easy route suitable for most visitors, including families with children. Plankenberk itself lies roughly 3.5 km northeast of Jevíčko, making it a simple addition to a day trip for anyone exploring that town or the village of Biskupice.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Plankenberk ruins? No, the site is freely accessible with no admission charge.

What's the easiest way to reach the castle? Take a train to the Nectava station, then follow the marked trail of about 1 km leading up to the ruins.

What remains of the original castle? Visitors can see sections of the ramparts, remnants of stone walls, and the castle well.

When was the castle destroyed? It had already fallen into decline by the start of the 15th century and was ultimately burned during clashes with Hussite forces around 1421-1422.