Starý Jičín Castle

Starý Jičín Castle is the ruin of one of the oldest noble castles in Moravia, standing on Starojický kopec hill (496 m above sea level) in the Moravian-Silesian Region, southwest of the town of Nový Jičín. A restored tower offers views across the Moravian Gate, and the site itself tells the story of the families who controlled this stretch of trade route from the 13th century onward.

What will you see on the hill?

Surviving walls with window openings, pillars, cellars and a deep moat make up the ruin. A few pine trees growing among the stones have become a landmark of the site. The only restored, roofed tower stands in the first courtyard near the old gate, not in the main castle core. It survived because its roof lasted longest. Inside is a museum covering the history of the castle and its estate, with a display of medieval armour, while the ground floor houses a castle pub. Conservation work on the ruins continues, so the accessible areas can change.

Who built the castle and who owned it?

The first written record dates from 1240, when Přemysl Otakar I granted the castle to the Rhineland count Arnold of Hückeswagen. The fortress was built in the early 13th century to guard the Amber Road, the trade route that ran from the Adriatic through the Moravian Gate to the Baltic. The Kravař family built up the whole hilltop. The Žerotín family later rebuilt parts of the castle, then lost it together with the estate during the Thirty Years' War. By the late 18th century it belonged to the Seilern family, who paid it little attention, and by the early 1900s it had decayed into the ruin visible today.

How do you get there from Nový Jičín?

Take a bus from Nový Jičín to the village of Starý Jičín. From the village church, a steep road of roughly one kilometre climbs to the ruin, and the yellow hiking trail joins the route near the church. Walking from the village square takes about 20 minutes. Nový Jičín lies a little over 4 km from the castle in a straight line.

When should you visit and how long do you need?

The hill suits a walk in any season, but the views toward the Moravian Gate, the Oderské vrchy hills and the Beskydy are best in clear air, since fog can hide the landscape and leave only the hilltops showing. A relaxed half-day trip covers the climb, the courtyards and the tower. Open-air events such as Midsummer celebrations are held at the castle, and entry to the ruin grounds has been free.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the tower?

The restored tower in the first courtyard holds a museum and a pub. Outside the main season it can be closed, so check the current situation on site before your visit.

Who built the castle?

The earliest record links it to 1240 and a grant to Count Arnold of Hückeswagen. The Kravař family later expanded the hilltop, and the Žerotíns rebuilt part of the structure.

How long is the walk from the village?

From the square in Starý Jičín the walk takes about 20 minutes. From the church it is roughly one kilometre up a steep road.

Why was the castle built here?

The hill overlooked the Amber Road where it passed through the Moravian Gate, which gave the site strategic and commercial importance.