Trosky Castle, Castle ruin in Troskovice, Czech Republic
Trosky Castle occupies two basalt volcanic plugs: the taller Panna tower (57 m) and the lower Baba tower (47 m), linked by connecting walls with small windows and a low parapet. A dark wooden staircase climbs Baba's near face, and a steel observation deck crowns Panna.
Čeněk of Wartenberg founded the castle in the second half of the 14th century; it is first mentioned in 1396, after his death. During the Hussite Wars it was a Catholic stronghold and resisted sieges in 1424 and 1428. In 1469 the garrison surrendered to King George of Poděbrady, and in 1648 imperial troops burned it, leaving it a ruin.
The castle shows how medieval residents combined living quarters and defense on natural rock peaks. The two towers with their stone chambers and the courtyard between them tell the story of life in a fortified settlement.
The climb is steep and requires good footwear and some stamina, especially in wet weather when the rocks can be slippery. Visitors should allow time to explore the ruins at leisure and enjoy the views over the surrounding landscape.
Otto IV of Bergau raided the Opatovice Monastery in 1415 and, according to legend, hid its treasure in a cellar beneath Trosky blocked by a boulder too heavy to move; scree later buried it for good. The castle held out against Hussite sieges in 1424 and 1428 and only surrendered after 28 August 1469 to the army of King George of Poděbrady.
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