Radyně Castle

Radyně Castle stands on the hill of the same name above the town of Starý Plzenec, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. What visitors see today is a picturesque ruin, but in the mid-14th century this was one of Emperor Charles IV's most ambitious building projects in western Bohemia.

Who built the castle, and why?

The commission came directly from Charles IV, who put master builder Vít Hedvábný in charge of construction. Work finished in 1361, the very same year as its architectural twin, Kašperk Castle in the Šumava mountains. The new stronghold was meant to guard the trade route running from Prague toward Bavaria, a strategic priority for an emperor keen on controlling the region's key commercial roads. Charles IV gave it his own name, Karlskrone (later also recorded as Karlshut), but the label never really stuck. The name of the hill itself, Radyně, was too firmly established locally, and within roughly a century it had replaced the emperor's official title for good.

What did the castle look like, and why does it resemble Kašperk?

Radyně and Kašperk were both built to the same design principle that defined the peak of 14th-century Bohemian fortress architecture: fusing the tower directly into the palace block rather than treating it as a separate, dominant structure. The tower here rose as little more than an extension above the palace roofline, while the palace itself formed the true center of the whole complex. The castle originally had two towers, a square one on the west side and a semi-circular one on the east. Only the western tower survives today, standing 22 meters tall.

What happened to the castle after it lost its importance?

As trade routes shifted and the castle's strategic value declined, the stronghold gradually fell into disuse. A fire in the 16th century caused serious damage and effectively sealed its fate, after which Radyně existed only as a ruin. Centuries later, the ruin still commands its surroundings: perched at 567 meters above sea level, the hill remains one of the most recognizable landmarks of the wider Plzeň area.

What can visitors see there today?

The surviving western tower is open to the public seasonally, typically from April through October. Reaching the viewing platform means climbing 114 steps, and the effort is rewarded with a mounted telescope that brings distant Primda Castle and Kozel Chateau into view. Inside the tower, a small exhibition covers the castle's history and local legends, including the tale of the mysterious Radous. During the season, the site also hosts additional events for visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Radyně Castle located? On top of Radyně hill, directly above the town of Starý Plzenec in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.

Who commissioned the castle? Emperor Charles IV, who assigned the construction to master builder Vít Hedvábný. The castle was completed in 1361.

Why is it called Radyně if Charles IV gave it a different name? The emperor named it Karlskrone, but the hill's own name was more deeply rooted locally and eventually replaced the original title entirely.

How tall is the surviving tower? The western tower, the only one of the original two still standing, reaches 22 meters, with 114 steps leading to its top.

Can the castle be visited? Yes, the tower is open to visitors seasonally, usually from April to October, and includes an exhibition on the site's history and legends.