Pyšolec

Pyšolec is a ruined castle standing on a hill in a meander of the Svratka River, right above the Vír II compensation reservoir, near the village of Vír in the Žďár nad Sázavou district of the Vysočina region. The ruins are among the most striking historical sites in this part of Czechia, and since 2021 the area has formed part of the Pyšolec nature reserve - a combination that makes the old stonework and the surrounding forested slopes worth visiting together.

When was the castle built?

The castle was founded at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries in the early Gothic style, on a naturally defensible hill within a bend of the Svratka - a typical siting for fortifications of that era, meant to control the river valley below. The earliest surviving written mention of Pyšolec, however, dates only to 1350, and records a property transaction: Filip the Younger of Pernštejn sold the castle to Ješek of Kounice and Ješek of Kravaře.

How did ownership change over time?

The following decades brought frequent changes of hands. In 1358 the castle passed to the Moravian margrave John Henry, who undertook its renovation and expansion. The Pernštejn family, having lost the property, spent decades trying to reclaim it and finally succeeded in 1446. Despite this, the castle ceased to function as a residence during the third quarter of the 15th century. The exact reason for its decline is not known with certainty; some sources connect the event to the period of Bohemian-Hungarian conflict, though the precise circumstances of its destruction remain unclear.

What remains standing today?

The most recognisable surviving feature is half of a massive cylindrical tower that once dominated the eastern part of the complex. Its diameter measured roughly 9.5 metres, and it is thought to have originally risen to a height of about 25 metres - a scale that would have made it a dominant landmark for the surrounding area. Alongside the tower, visitors can see the remains of the castle palace, two substantial pillars that once reinforced the fortification walls, and traces of the rampart together with smaller towers that ringed the core of the complex. The site is protected today as a cultural monument.

Where exactly are the ruins located?

Pyšolec rises on a hill within a meander of the Svratka River, directly above the dam of the Vír II compensation reservoir, close to the village of Vír. The surrounding land, protected as a nature reserve since 2021, safeguards both the remaining stonework and the natural forest habitats on the steep valley slopes. This pairing of history and landscape is why the walk up to the castle is recommended equally to history enthusiasts and to those simply looking for a scenic hike through the woods.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Pyšolec Castle? It was founded at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, making it more than 700 years old.

Who owned the castle over the centuries? Recorded owners and holders include the Pernštejn family, Ješek of Kounice, Ješek of Kravaře, and the Moravian margrave John Henry, who began rebuilding the castle in 1358.

Why did the castle fall into ruin? The exact cause of its decline in the third quarter of the 15th century is not known; historians remain uncertain about the precise circumstances.

What can visitors see on site? Mainly the remains of the massive cylindrical tower, roughly 9.5 metres in diameter, along with fragments of the palace and the pillars that once reinforced the defensive walls.

Is the area around the castle protected as nature? Yes, since 2021 the land surrounding the ruins has been part of the Pyšolec nature reserve.