Trosky

Trosky is one of the most instantly recognizable castle ruins in the Czech Republic – a twin-towered structure perched on the summits of two basalt rocks in the heart of Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj), a few kilometers from Semily, between the villages of Troskovice and Rovensko pod Troskami. The silhouette of its two slender towers, visible from many points across the region, has become an unofficial emblem of the whole area.

Why does the castle stand on two rocks?

Both towers rise from natural rock formations rather than man-made platforms. They are the remnants of an extinct volcano's feeder pipes: the hard basalt that once filled the volcano's interior conduits survived intact, while the softer surrounding sedimentary rock was worn away by millions of years of erosion. What remained were two exposed, near-vertical stone pillars, onto which medieval builders raised their fortifications. The lower rock, known as Baba (Old Woman), stands about 47 meters tall and carries a two-story structure, while the taller rock, Panna (Virgin), reaches roughly 57 meters and supports a slim, four-sided tower.

What is the history behind the ruins?

The castle was founded in the second half of the 14th century, built between 1380 and 1390 on the initiative of Čeněk of Vartenberk, who chose the site precisely for the natural defensive strength of its basalt cliffs. Residential and utility buildings filled the space between the two towers, and the whole complex was protected by three rings of fortified walls. The construction drained Čeněk's finances so heavily that by 1394 he had already ceded Trosky to the Bohemian king, Wenceslas IV. The castle survived the turbulent Hussite wars, but its life as a functioning stronghold ended in 1648, when Imperial troops burned it down during the Thirty Years' War. It has remained a picturesque ruin ever since.

What can you see from the towers?

The climb to the top of Panna follows a partly rock-cut staircase begun in 1841–1843, when Trosky first became a popular destination for romantic sightseeing trips. From the upper platforms of both towers, visitors get wide views over the jagged landscape of Bohemian Paradise — sandstone rock towns, forests, and the gentle hills of the Krkonoše foothills, with the Krkonoše (Giant) Mountains themselves visible on the horizon on clear days.

How do you get there and visit?

Trosky sits along hiking trails connecting it to other attractions of Bohemian Paradise, with a car park at the foot of the hill. The path up is a rocky, uphill walk not suited to wheelchairs or limited mobility. The site is open seasonally, roughly from late March through October, with fuller daily hours (typically 9:00–17:30) during the summer months and reduced weekend-only hours in spring and autumn. Tickets are sold on-site, visits are self-guided, and no advance booking is required. Pets are not allowed on the castle grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Is Trosky one castle or two? It is a single castle complex, but with two separate towers standing on two separate rocks — which is why it often looks like two buildings in one.

Where do the names Baba and Panna come from? These are the traditional Czech names for the lower and higher tower, used in descriptions of the castle for centuries and still inseparable from its identity today.

Can visitors climb both towers? Yes, both are open to the public during the season, though reaching the top means climbing steep stone stairs.

Is the castle actually in ruins? Yes — since 1648, Trosky has stood as a permanent ruin. Walls, tower fragments, and viewing points survive, but there are no roofs or livable interiors.

How far is it from Semily? About 10 kilometers south of Semily, in the Semily District of the Liberec Region.