Velešov Castle

Velešov Castle is a picturesque ruined fortress perched above the Orlice river valley, roughly one kilometer northwest of Potštejn castle in the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district of eastern Bohemia. Little remains today beyond scattered wall fragments and the outline of a moat, yet the site continues to draw visitors seeking quiet hilltop views and a tangible link to the region's turbulent medieval past.

Who founded Velešov and why?

The castle was established in the first half of the 14th century by the Drslavici family, who held the nearby Potštejn castle. Its origins are tied directly to a violent episode in that castle's history: around 1339, Margrave Charles — later Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV — laid siege to Potštejn, then held by the robber-knight Mikuláš z Potštejna. The margrave captured and destroyed the stronghold, and forbade its reconstruction. In response, the lords of Potštejn built a new seat on a neighboring hill: Velešov.

When does Velešov first appear in written records?

The earliest documentary mention of Velešov dates to 1356, when Charles IV himself purchased the Potštejn estates from the sons of Mikuláš z Potštejna. Historians believe the castle was likely never fully completed, and it appears to have fallen out of use before the end of the 14th century — a remarkably short lifespan compared with other fortifications in the area.

What did the castle look like, and what survives today?

Velešov was a small, two-part fortification built on a steep hill descending sharply toward the Orlice river valley. This dramatic terrain offered strong natural defenses but limited the site's expansion, which explains its modest scale. Today, visitors can still make out fragments of the palace masonry along with a clearly visible moat cut into the hillside, giving a sense of the castle's original layout.

Why was the castle eventually torn down?

Velešov's fate was sealed in the 18th century. Count Chamaré, then owner of the Potštejn estate, searched the ruins for hidden treasure and reused the building material to construct a new château in Potštejn itself. This later demolition accounts for the fragmentary state of the ruins as they appear today.

What should visitors know before going?

Since 1964, the Velešov ruins have been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. In March 2009, an educational trail with information panels and shelters was built on site with European Union support, at a cost of over one million Czech crowns. The ruins remain a popular short hiking destination, often combined with a visit to the nearby Potštejn castle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Velešov from Potštejn castle? The ruins sit about one kilometer northwest of Potštejn castle, on a neighboring hill overlooking the Orlice valley.

Is there any visitor infrastructure at the site? Yes — an educational trail with information panels and tourist shelters was created in 2009 to guide visitors around the ruins.

Why is the castle in such a ruined state? Mainly due to demolition work carried out in the 18th century by Count Chamaré, who reused the stone to build a château in Potštejn after searching the ruins for treasure.

Who built Velešov and why? It was built by the Drslavici family after losing nearby Potštejn castle, which Margrave Charles captured and destroyed around 1339, forbidding its reconstruction.