Vrškamýk Castle

Vrškamýk is a ruined medieval royal castle standing one kilometre west of Kamýk nad Vltavou, perched on a narrow rocky ridge that once made it one of the most imposing noble strongholds in the region. Only fragments of its walls and gates survive today, but the site remains a highlight of the Příbram district and a starting point for walks through the surrounding woodland.

How to get there?

The ruins lie in the Příbram district of the Central Bohemian Region, at an elevation of roughly 345 metres above sea level. A marked green tourist trail connects Kamýk nad Vltavou with Zduchovice and passes directly by the castle, making it an easy, short walk rather than a demanding hike. Recent improvements to the surrounding area — a car park, educational trails and a wooden observation tower — have made the site considerably easier to reach for both individual hikers and families with children.

What will you see?

Construction began in the first half of the 13th century under King Wenceslas I and was completed by his son, Přemysl Otakar II. The castle served as the administrative centre for the territory west of the Vltava river and, according to surviving records, doubled as a royal hunting lodge — during the reign of Wenceslas II it was home to royal officials and a royal huntsman. The layout was split into two parts along the narrow ridge: the front section held a long, spacious building with a square gate tower, separated from the rear section by a wide moat. The courtyard was enclosed on three sides by multi-storey residential wings, mostly flat-ceilinged except for one room with cross-vaulting, and the buildings were heated using hot-air systems built into the structure.

The castle's importance had already begun to fade under Wenceslas II, though it remained in use during the reign of John of Luxembourg. The decisive blow came when Charles IV built Karlštejn Castle — for reasons that remain unclear, whether the roughly 70-kilometre distance from Prague (a two-day ride on horseback) or structural problems, Vrškamýk lost its administrative role and was abandoned during the second half of the 14th century. By 1569 documents already described it as deserted. The empty ruins later reportedly sheltered robber knights who preyed on boats travelling the Vltava, giving rise to a local legend about a cruel knight named Hunec — a name still attached to the site today.

Archaeology and restoration

Archaeological excavations carried out between 2009 and 2010 uncovered the entrance gate along with medieval artefacts, and were paired with an EU-funded restoration project completed in June 2010, at a cost of about 20.4 million Czech crowns. The work stabilised the remaining walls and added a car park, footpaths and information panels around the ruins. Vrškamýk has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1965.

When to visit?

The site is freely accessible year-round, but the exposed, ruined terrain is most comfortable to explore in spring, summer and early autumn, when the weather favours longer walks along the forest paths. The area also works well for a family outing, thanks to a nearby playground and an educational nature trail built alongside the ruins.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Vrškamýk Castle? Construction was started by King Wenceslas I in the first half of the 13th century and finished by his son, Přemysl Otakar II.

Why did the castle fall into ruin? It lost its significance after Charles IV built Karlštejn Castle and was abandoned during the second half of the 14th century; by 1569 it was already recorded as deserted.

Where does the name Hunec come from? It refers to a local legend about a cruel robber knight said to have hidden in the ruins and attacked boats sailing the Vltava river.

What can visitors see on site today? Surviving fragments of the perimeter walls, remnants of the entrance gate, rampart and moats, plus a nearby wooden observation tower and educational trail.