Boskovice Castle, Castle ruin in Boskovice, Czech Republic

Boskovice Castle is a ruin on a hill at 448 metres above sea level, on the western edge of the Drahanská vrchovina highlands above the town of Boskovice in the South Moravian Region. Its standing masonry outlines the former fortified residence, and the site covers 64 ares, making it one of the largest castle ruins in Moravia.

The castle was probably founded in the first half of the 13th century; the first written mention of it dates to 1312, when King John of Luxembourg seized it from Arkleb of Boskovice during his Moravian campaign. In 1389 Margrave Jošt took it from Jan Ozor of Boskovice, and in 1398 he granted it to Erhart of Kunštát. Rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 16th century, it fell into ruin in the 18th century under the Dietrichstein lords.

The castle's name comes from a legend recorded by Bartoloměj Paprocký in 1593: the falconer Velen hosted a lost Moravian prince, was ennobled with a white seven-toothed comb in a red field, and cried "Bosko-více" after stubbing his toe on a threshold. The town below took the same name.

The ruins are open throughout the year and can be visited without any special preparation or equipment. The ground is uneven in several areas, so sturdy shoes make the walk more comfortable.

The castle hill rises to 448 metres on the western edge of the Drahanská vrchovina highlands, and the ruin has been protected as a cultural monument since 1964. The outer ring of walls was renewed recently and the masonry secured against collapse.