Kočičí hrádek, Miniature castle in Slatiňany, Czech Republic
Kočičí hrádek is a miniature stone fortress in Slatiňany built on a quartzite rock outcrop with walls less than 1 meter (3 feet) tall. Its small scale makes it accessible for children to climb on and explore the structure directly.
Princess Vilemína of Auersperg built this miniature fortress between 1898 and 1901 specifically as an entertainment structure for her children. It was designed from the start as a playhouse rather than a functional defense structure.
Children here have played out medieval adventures with pine cones for many generations, creating their own stories within the tiny fortress walls. The way young visitors interact with and imagine life in this small castle has become part of the place's character over time.
The site is accessible via marked hiking trails from Slatiňany, offering straightforward walking routes through the surrounding landscape. The hike takes around 40 minutes and is easy to manage, making it suitable for families with younger children.
After vandalism damage in April 2012, the local community organized fundraising events and a benefit concert to restore the small fortress. This collective effort shows how much the structure means to the people living nearby.
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