Vízmburk, Gothic castle ruin in Havlovice, Czech Republic

Vízmburk is a ruined two-part Gothic castle on a wooded spur above the Aupa near Havlovice. Entry was through a tower gate across a moat into a bailey; the core was dominated by a round bergfrit over 11 m across with 420 cm thick walls, beside a small courtyard ringed by palace wings, a great hall with cross vault and probably a chapel.

The fortress was built in 1279 by nobleman Tas of Wiesenburg to protect Bohemian lands from attacks coming from Silesia. It was intentionally destroyed in 1447, which preserved it in its present ruined state.

The name Vízmburk echoes the German Wiesenburg, after the Aupa valley setting. Since 2008 the Sdružení pro Vízmburk has held the Vízmburské slavnosti, opening the normally closed ruin to visitors on the second weekend of September.

The grounds feature informational panels explaining how different rooms like the main hall, chapel, and kitchen were arranged. Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is uneven and the site sits on a steep hillside requiring careful walking.

The bergfried's walls are 420 cm thick and its ground floor hides a two-part recess: a 125 cm corridor leading to a shaft 67 × 78 cm. Jiří Varhaník read it as a prisoner latrine, while Vladislav Razím argued it may have been a strongbox for valuables.