Starý hrad

Starý hrad is a medieval castle ruin hidden in the woods above the Svitava river valley, in the municipality of Olomučany, Blansko district, Moravia, Czech Republic — right in the heart of the Moravian Karst.

When was Starý hrad built?

The castle went up at the end of the 14th century, and it's first mentioned in records from 1381 — under a different name, as it happens, since at the time it was simply called "Nový hrad" (New Castle). The site was chosen for a reason: a ridge overlooking the road running from Brno through the Blansko valley, a route that carried travellers and goods through this part of Moravia.

Who owned the castle?

At one point the castle belonged to Jošt, Margrave of Moravia. In 1411 he pledged it to Vaněk Černohorský of Boskovice, a member of a family that went on to play a significant role in this corner of Moravia for decades afterward.

What conflicts did the castle live through?

The stronghold saw real fighting. In 1423 it was captured by the army of Bishop Jan Železný, a sign of how strategically important the position still was at the time. The decisive blow came in 1470, when the army of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, destroyed the castle — it never recovered its original role after that.

What happened to the castle after it was destroyed?

The brothers Dobeš and Beneš Černohorský of Boskovice, who held the estate at the time, chose not to rebuild the ruined stronghold. Instead, they built a new and stronger castle — Nový hrad — at the opposite end of the same ridge. That decision sealed the fate of the older fortress, which was left abandoned from then on.

What can you actually see on site today?

Not much remains of Starý hrad itself: a few wall fragments, hollows in the ground marking where buildings once stood, and two wide moats that are still clearly traceable through the forest. The contrast with nearby Nový hrad is striking — its walls still stand close to their original height, while almost nothing but the outline in the terrain is left of the older castle.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

The ruins sit in the forest above the Svitava valley, between Blansko and Adamov, within the municipality of Olomučany — right in the Moravian Karst, a region known for its caves, gorges and network of hiking trails. The easiest way in is on foot or by bike along trails from Blansko or Adamov, and it's well worth pairing the visit with the much better-preserved Nový hrad close by. Given the uneven, wooded terrain, the best time to go is anywhere from spring through autumn, when the paths are dry and easier to walk.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Starý hrad? It dates to the end of the 14th century — the first written record of it is from 1381, when it was actually known as "Nový hrad" (New Castle).

Why is it called Starý hrad ("Old Castle") if it was originally the "new" one? The name changed once a newer, stronger castle — also called Nový hrad — was built nearby. From that point on, the older fortress became known as the "Old Castle" to distinguish it from the new stronghold.

What destroyed the castle? It was destroyed in 1470 by the army of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary. Earlier, in 1423, it had also been captured by the army of Bishop Jan Železný.

What survives on site today? Wall fragments, ground depressions where buildings once stood, and two wide moats — the rest of the structure hasn't survived.

Is it worth combining with another site? Yes — the much better-preserved Nový hrad stands right nearby, built by the estate's owners after Starý hrad was destroyed.