Veliš Castle, Castle ruin in Podhradí, Czech Republic
Veliš Castle is a ruin perched on a basalt hill near Podhradí, displaying preserved wall sections, a tower, and remains of a medieval palace structure. The scattered stones and foundations across the site show how the fortress once occupied this strategic elevated location.
The fortress was built around 1300 and became one of Bohemia's most powerful strongholds during the medieval period. By the 1600s it suffered severe destruction that ended its role as an active military installation.
The earliest documentation of the castle appears in a 1698 parchment plan created by surveyor Andreas Bernard Klauser for the Vokšice manor residence.
The site is accessible by a marked hiking trail starting from Podhradí, which is easily reached from Jičín. Wear sturdy footwear since the hill is steep and the ruins create uneven ground to navigate.
The fortress featured a forward defensive work on its northern side with underground passages and firing ports for protection. A wooden palisade also fortified the western gate entrance to strengthen the overall defense system.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
