Burg Zbiroh

Zbirohy Castle is a medieval ruin perched on a rocky ridge above the Jizera river, in the municipality of Koberovy in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. The remains of its walls, tower and cellars sit between Turnov and Malá Skála, right above the small hamlet of Michovka, separated from it by a narrow valley running toward the Sokol hill.

Where exactly is the castle located?

The ruins stand on a narrow, steep rock spur known as the Zbirohy Rocks, at roughly 450 metres above sea level. A valley near the settlement of Michovka separates them from the neighbouring Kalich and Chléviště rocks on the higher Sokol hill (566 m). This defensible, hard-to-reach position above the Jizera valley is the main reason a stronghold was ever built here.

Who built the castle, and when?

Neither the exact founding date nor the founder is known with certainty. The castle already existed before 1390, raised in Gothic style on a rock outcrop that was difficult to approach. By the mid-14th century it belonged to Markvart of Vartenberk, a member of the powerful Wartenberg family, which controlled several strongholds in the region at the time.

How did ownership of the castle change over time?

In 1390, King Wenceslaus IV seized the castle by force after Markvart rebelled against royal authority. It then passed to Ota of Bergov, lord of nearby Trosky Castle, who carried out repairs and held Zbirohy throughout the Hussite Wars as a supporter of King Sigismund. After Ota, the castle briefly became a refuge for robber knights who used it as a base for raiding the surrounding area.

When and how was the castle destroyed?

The end came in 1442, when royal troops captured and demolished the castle to shut down its use as a bandit stronghold. By 1458, records already describe it as abandoned. From the mid-15th century onward, Zbirohy was never rebuilt and gradually fell into the ruined state visible today.

What has survived to the present day?

What remains are sections of the defensive walls, the remnants of a tower, and vaulted cellars. The ruins are listed as a Czech cultural monument (registry number 25219/5-48) and remain freely accessible to visitors, set among woodland with no ticketed tourist infrastructure.

How can visitors reach the castle?

The most common approach is from Turnov, following a green-marked trail roughly 5 kilometres long. The nearest railway station is in Malá Skála, about 3 kilometres from the ruins, making it a convenient starting point for travellers arriving by train.

Are there any legends connected to the castle?

Yes — local tradition tells of the "Black Knight," said to have been a 15th-century robber whose ghost still haunts the rocks and walls after dark. The story remains a popular one among local guides and residents of the surrounding villages.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zbirohy Castle the same place as Zbiroh Castle near Rokycany? No. These are two entirely different sites that share a similar name. The ruins described here lie in the Liberec Region above the Jizera river, while Zbiroh Castle in western Bohemia is a separate, much larger and well-preserved residence near Rokycany.

Is entry to the ruins free? Yes, the site is open to the public with no admission fee and no permanent staff on-site.

How long is the walk from Turnov to the castle? The green-marked trail covers about 5 kilometres and typically takes one and a half to two hours one way, depending on pace.

Is it worth combining a visit with other nearby attractions? Yes — the Kalich and Chléviště rocks on Sokol hill are close by, as is the Malá Skála area popular with climbers and hikers, making it easy to plan a longer route through the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) region.