Žerotice Castle

Žerotice is the ruin of a medieval castle standing on the southeastern edge of the village bearing the same name, in the Znojmo district of the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic. The remains are listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and rank among the lesser-known but rewarding stops for anyone exploring the castles and countryside around Znojmo.

How to get there?

The village of Žerotice sits in the Znojmo district, close to the Austrian border, in a region known for its vineyards and the many castles and ruins scattered across the South Moravian landscape. The ruin lies right at the edge of the village, making it easy to reach on foot from the village center or by car. Znojmo itself, the nearest larger town, offers accommodation and serves as a convenient base for exploring the wider area.

What will you see?

The site's history goes back to the 13th century — the village is first mentioned together with a fortified manor house in 1259, when it belonged to a certain Cuzkraj of Žerotice. The fortified house itself is explicitly documented in 1358, when Adam of Žerotice sold it to Beneš of Vejtmile. The new owner expanded the residence so substantially that sources from that point on began referring to it as a castle.

The Vejtmile family held Žerotice until 1502. Ownership then changed hands repeatedly over the following centuries: Jindřich Lechovický of Zástřizly owned it in 1512, Fridrich Březnický of Náchod in 1554, and Jiří Ehrenreich of Sinzendorf in 1628. From 1512 onward the property came to be described as a chateau, and Renaissance-era renovations were carried out successively by the Zástřizl and Březnický families, giving the building a more residential character than its earlier fortified form.

The turning point in the site's history — and its undoing — came during the Thirty Years' War. In 1643, Žerotice was besieged and burned by Swedish troops. Although the residence was partly restored afterward, later owners gradually lost interest in maintaining it. The building fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned, turning into the ruin seen today. At the end of the 17th century the estate passed to the Blier family, and in 1711 it came into the hands of Count František Karel Berchtold of Uherčice.

What survives today includes sections of the palace's perimeter walls, standing up to the height of the first floor, the remains of a polygonal tower, and a vaulted Renaissance-era room in the northwestern part of the complex. Fortification elements have also been preserved, including a defensive rampart and a moat, which still make it possible to trace the original layout of the stronghold.

When to visit?

An open-air ruin like this is best explored in spring, summer, or early autumn, when longer days and stable weather make walking the grounds more comfortable. The area around Žerotice, set in the heart of the Znojmo wine region, invites visitors to combine a stop at the ruin with a tour of nearby vineyards and smaller towns in the district. Because of the site's ruined condition, visitors should expect limited tourist infrastructure on the spot.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Žerotice castle ruin? It is the remains of a medieval stronghold, originally a 13th-century fortified manor house that was expanded into a castle in the 14th century and later turned into a residential chateau during the Renaissance.

Why is the castle a ruin today? The stronghold was besieged and burned by Swedish forces in 1643 during the Thirty Years' War. Although it was partly rebuilt afterward, subsequent owners lost interest in it and the building gradually fell into ruin.

Who owned Žerotice throughout history? Notable owners included the Vejtmile family (until 1502), the Zástřizl and Březnický families, the Sinzendorf family, the Blier family, and, from 1711, the Counts Berchtold of Uherčice.

What can visitors see on site today? Surviving features include sections of the perimeter walls, the remains of a polygonal tower, a vaulted Renaissance room, and fortification elements such as the rampart and moat.