Preitenstein Castle

Preitenstein Castle is a striking medieval ruin perched on an isolated rocky hill near the village of Nečtiny, in the Plzeň-North district of western Bohemia. Although only fragments of the perimeter walls survive today, the site still impresses with the sheer scale of its layout and sweeping views over the surrounding forests.

Who built the castle?

Preitenstein was founded after 1330 on the initiative of King John of Luxembourg, who financed its construction from his own treasury before pawning it to the Pluh family of Rabštejn. Notably, John of Luxembourg built only two castles in Bohemia at his own expense — Preitenstein and Adršpach. The name derives from the German Breitenstein, meaning "broad stone," a reference to the rocky outcrop on which the fortress stands. The castle served primarily as a military stronghold rather than a residence: its extensive ground plan and numerous outbuildings suggest it was designed to house a large garrison rather than to impress visiting nobility.

How did ownership change over the centuries?

After 1333, King Charles IV redeemed the castle from pawn and listed it in his legal code, the Majestas Carolina, among the fortresses that could never again be pledged. Despite this, periods of direct royal control kept alternating with spells under various pawnholders. Under King Wenceslaus IV, the castle was pawned to Petr Zmrzlík of Svojšín, and around the turn of the fifteenth century it passed to Oldřich Huler, who later exchanged it with Zmrzlík for the castle of Orlík. In 1434, Zbyněk of Kočov carried out costly repairs to the fortress. The decisive turning point came in 1441, when the Gutštejn family acquired both the castle and the nearby town of Nečtiny — from that point on, Preitenstein became their principal seat, marking the high point of its importance.

Why did the castle fall into ruin?

Preitenstein's decline came in the mid-sixteenth century. Its last owner, Kašpar Pluh of Rabštejn, found himself at the center of a conflict that ended with the castle being set on fire as punishment against him. It was never rebuilt afterward and gradually deteriorated into the ruin visible today. Despite the centuries that have passed, sections of the perimeter walls have survived, along with the remains of an outer defensive rampart (parkan) on the southeastern side, as well as the outer walls of the palace building and a corridor leading down to what were once cellar vaults.

How can you visit, and what should you know?

The ruins stand on a hill roughly 1.5 kilometers from the center of Nečtiny, above the hamlet of Nové Městečko, and are freely accessible to visitors year-round, with no admission fee. A blue-marked hiking trail leads from Nečtiny to the site, first following a wide, gently rising forest path that passes the picturesque Baba pond at the foot of the hill before climbing more steeply toward the ruin itself. Given the rocky terrain and the steep final approach, sturdy walking shoes are recommended. The site is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Frequently asked questions

When was Preitenstein Castle built? It was founded after 1330 on the initiative of King John of Luxembourg, who paid for its construction himself.

Where does the name Preitenstein come from? The name comes from the German Breitenstein, meaning "broad stone," referring to the rocky hill on which the ruin stands.

Who was the castle's last owner? Its last owner was Kašpar Pluh of Rabštejn, during whose time the castle burned and fell into ruin in the mid-sixteenth century.

Can the castle be visited today? Yes, the ruins are freely accessible year-round at no cost, reached via a blue-marked hiking trail from Nečtiny.