stone bridge in Prostiboř

The stone bridge in Prostiboř is an 18th-century structure connecting the old approach road to the gate of Kopec Castle, which rises above the village of Prostiboř in the Tachov district, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. Its three stone arches span a deep moat cut directly into the rock, making it one of the most striking features of the entire castle complex.

How to get there?

Prostiboř lies in western Bohemia, in the Tachov district, close to the German border, on the banks of the Úhlavka stream. Kopec Castle, to which the bridge leads, sits on a hill right next to the village and can be reached on foot from the village center. The region is a scenic, sparsely populated part of the Czech Republic dominated by the forests and hills of the Český les (Bohemian Forest) — the usual driving route runs through Tachov or Stříbro, with only a few more kilometers to Prostiboř from either town.

What will you see?

The bridge was built as part of the castle's fortifications, though the castle itself has a much older, Gothic origin — the stone castle on the hill dates back to 1307. Originally, the southern moat, hewn straight into the rock, was crossed by a drawbridge — a classic fortification feature meant to slow down attackers trying to reach the gate. Over time, as the defensive function became less important, the drawbridge was replaced by a permanent masonry structure resting on three stone arches.

This rebuilding gave the bridge an entirely different character — instead of a purely defensive element, it became a representative crossing fitted with a balustrade and decorated with two Baroque statues. The contrast between the moat's original military purpose and the bridge's later, decorative finish nicely illustrates how Kopec Castle evolved from a medieval stronghold into a more residential, ceremonial seat. Walking across the bridge, it is worth looking down into the moat below — the depth of the cut makes clear how much labor went into carving it out of solid rock.

Kopec Castle itself, reached via the bridge, hides further architectural curiosities, including a rare Gothic ceiling built from wooden half-round beams, considered one of the oldest dated monuments of its kind in Bohemia. The bridge therefore serves as a natural introduction to the whole complex — the first structure visitors encounter when entering the grounds of the former stronghold.

The village and its history

Prostiboř appears in written sources as early as the Middle Ages, in records connected to the Kladruby monastery, and over the centuries the estate passed through the hands of several noble families. The village is also linked to notable figures — Izák Hofmann, chairman of Vienna's Jewish community and great-grandfather of the Austrian poet Hugo von Hofmannsthal, was born here. The village also has a Church of St. Nicholas, first mentioned in 1356, with a bell cast in 1551.

When to visit?

The bridge and castle grounds are best visited in spring and summer, when good weather makes longer walks through the surrounding hills more comfortable and the moat and bridge structure are easiest to appreciate. Autumn tends to be quieter, which suits visitors looking for a calmer visit away from crowds. It is worth combining a visit with a tour of Kopec Castle itself and a walk along the Úhlavka stream.

Frequently asked questions

From what period does the stone bridge in Prostiboř date? The current masonry form of the bridge, resting on three arches, was built during the Baroque period, replacing an earlier drawbridge across the moat of Kopec Castle.

What was the bridge's original purpose? The site was originally crossed by a drawbridge, protecting access to the castle across a deep moat cut into the rock — a typical defensive solution for medieval strongholds.

What else is worth seeing near the bridge? Right behind the bridge stands Kopec Castle, with a Gothic core dating to 1307 and a unique wooden ceiling, and the village of Prostiboř has a 14th-century Church of St. Nicholas.

Is the bridge open to visitors? The bridge leads to the castle gate and is accessible to visitors touring the Kopec Castle grounds in Prostiboř.