Chudý hrádek, Medieval castle ruins in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic.
Chudý hrádek is a medieval castle situated on a rocky outcrop in Central Bohemia with standing palace walls and underground chambers carved directly from the bedrock. The ruins display the typical layout of a period stronghold, complete with thick wall foundations and below-ground storage areas that show how people lived and functioned within these fortifications.
The castle was founded in the 14th century by the Berka family as a regional administrative center. It was gradually abandoned during the 16th century and left to deteriorate into the ruins visible today.
The castle's name variations, including Hrádek, Pustý hrádek, and Poustka, reflect the linguistic evolution of the Czech language through centuries.
The ruins are accessible year-round via a marked green trail starting from the nearby village of Dřevčice. The path is straightforward to follow as it passes through the scenic Čertova rokle valley.
The name 'Chudý' translates to 'poor' but refers to the fortress's small size rather than the wealth of its owners. This naming convention was common when distinguishing between castles of different scales.
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