Helfenburk, Gothic castle ruin on Malošín Mountain near Bavorov, Czech Republic
Helfenburk is a Gothic castle ruin on Malošín Hill, near Bavorov in South Bohemia, Czech Republic. The remains include a palace wing, defensive towers, and sections of fortified walls scattered across the rocky hillside.
The Rožmberk brothers received permission from Charles IV in Pisa on 21 May 1355 to build the castle as a reward for accompanying him to his coronation in Rome. Václav Vlček of Čenov modernised the fortifications between 1477 and 1483. The castle was recorded as deserted in 1593 and later used as a source of building stone.
The castle's name is first recorded in 1355, when Charles IV authorised the Rožemberk brothers to build it. The round tower, about 10 metres across and 18 metres high, served as the tower guardian's lodging and now functions as a lookout after its 1977 conversion.
The site is open throughout the year and visitors can walk around freely without needing to book in advance. The terrain is rocky and uneven, so sturdy footwear makes the visit much more comfortable.
The side towers of this castle have no ordinary windows but instead feature bay openings built for combat observation. This meant defenders could watch and shoot at attackers from a protected position, which was an unusual design choice for a fortress of this type.
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